christopher greene

Collaborative and cooperative learning is the learning of the future.  While we a lack of it in K-12, it must be brought to the forefront of higher education.  Challenging discussion boards for example.  I have a political science/history discussion board that revolves around the Housing crisis of 2008 and askes the student to evaluate two groups,  Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party, to show their similarities  and differences.  How they reflect into  American political concepts like Progressivism, Equality, Pursuit of Happiness or the Preamble.  

Be aware of your students ability to use active learning tools. also be aware that they may be anxious about the use of the technology.  Communicate with them consistently and set expectations.  Help them with time management issues.  Let your students be creative since it is the highest form of learning. 

If Institutions want to be successful they need to make sur that instructions have all the necessary tools to create an active learning environment.   Institutions need to be aware of the time needed to implement these techniques and reward instructors who implement.  Instructors who can get students to be more engaged are a major asset to the institution.

Stay away from the same delivery styles.  Mix up different delivery styles.  Keep students focused and engaged.  

I teach Politics Science.   Most of my students groan when they see it on the schedule.  So for the class to make sense to them, during the first class, I introduce a Founding father - Dr. Benjamin Rush. Dr. Rush was a physician, abolitionist, writer, etc.  He is the father of American psychology, introduced animal medical sciences  to America, and took care of the poor and imprisoned at little cost.  He is also a signer of the Declaration of independence.  I read to them from his biography and challenge them to look at the course through his eyes.  Also to… >>>

Class starts well before students enter the room.  The more prepared we are the better model we will be for our students. Come in the day before to prep your room and our last minute updates. For the instructor being on time is 30 minutes early.   Great students, have music playing, laugh with them, get to know them.  

The classroom has to be an environment that the student relishes to be in.   My passion will rub off on the students. Model what professionalism conduct looks like.  Get them to see that professionalism is a mindset that can be transferred to many different occupations. 

To keep students engaged, teachers need to get out of their comfort zones at times and think out side the box.     Teachers need to show students that they are near, since there is no F2F contact.  An ongoing task is to build sound relationships with your students that fosters their on learning advancement. 

Understand the role of facilitator, using proper engagement, manage expectations, use clear communication, foster critical thinking and discussions, value student opinions, use proper assessments. 

I teach a hybrid course.  I try to take time to answer any questions during the virtual classroom period.  I also make myself available by email or by a specific teams meeting to help with the asynchronous part of the course.   I try to teach in a Socratic method that develops the students engagement in class and sets a tone for the discussion boards quizzes and assignments,