Lindsay Lauridsen

I plan on utilizing collaborative, cooperative, and problem solving learning activites to encourage critical thinking. I want to provide opportunities to incorporate real world examples or problems and allow time for the students to reflect. 

I will incorporate active learning strategies in my teaching. In particular, I will be clear about my expectations for the students, provide positive feedback throughout the course, and make sure to have incremental deadlines to help students with time managment. I also, will update rubrics to provide clear direction and feedback to help students progress. 

Two important factors are helping students understand that they will be doing active learning and that the technology is working correctly. Students should be told what the expectations for active learning are at the beginning so that they can be prepared for the class dynamic. Checking that the technology is working and having a plan B just in case are ways that I would prepare for class. 

I learned that, as an instructor using active learning, I'm more of a guide or mentor than a lecturer. It's my job to provide an environment of learning and activities that promote interaction, peer feedback, problem solving, etc. I plan on applying moments of pause to ask questions and allow time for students to reflect. I want to offer more collaborative and cooperative activities, such as group projects, peer teaching, finding information together, games, etc.