4 Open Lab Hours — 03.06.2015

In the Active Teaching Lab on March 6, 2015, we took a breath and reconsidered the content presented in the past three weeks. We discussed ways to use various tools, technological and cultural challenges participants experience when trying out new tools and methods in their classrooms, and suggestions for future AT Lab sessions.

Key Takeaways

• Google+ in teaching space allows bridging real to virtual classroom. Giving participants +1 and comments on their posts helps them feel like they’re not just posting to a brick wall.
• Having face-to-face discussions that are synchronously supplemented by online (G+ Community, Today’s Meet, Twitter, etc.) “backchannel” discussions help reinforce that “the discussion is taking place in this space.”
• Good course design includes “way-finding” prompt for students (they’re more likely to engage if they know how/where). Sometimes one needs to lead a horse to water so they know where to drink.
• We all have little tricks that we know, that others don’t know; and we can all benefit from seeing the tips and tricks that others use, that we hadn’t even considered. Look for more sessions where we crowd-source the sharing of tips and tricks!

The Active Teaching Lab, a Faculty Engagement program, provides a safe space for structured explorations of cool teaching tools and techniques that your colleagues are using to engage students and teach more effectively. During the academic year, labs are held weekly and will be listed on the Active Teaching Lab page.