Category: Teaching Tips

student studies with computer in the library

Using Student Evaluations Effectively

Student evaluations of instructors have come under significant scrutiny because of their tendency to promote unconscious biases. Unfortunately, evaluations might often tell you more about how popular you are (or how well you fit into normative identity categories) than how effective of a teacher you are.

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student preparing for Calculus test

Preparing Your Students for Final Exams

Final Exams are stressful to make, to give, to take, and to grade—not to mention, a critical element in the evaluation of students. Typically comprehensive, they carry more weight than mid-terms and other tests given throughout they semester, and provide that “final” opportunity for students to demonstrate what they’ve learned.

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Students working individually and in groups to finalize projects

Five Simple Tips for Improving Group Projects

When students do not work together equally within the group. This imbalance in the group workload can lead to aggravation and resistance to the project from students, and a poor outcome overall. To combat this challenge, Huang presents five tips that focus on a different aspect of group work to both improve group dynamics and produce positive results.

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graphic depicting growth mindset versus fixed mindset

Help Your Students Develop a Growth Mindset

Carol Dweck, a Social and Developmental Psychologist from Stanford, has developed a framework to aid our understanding of why some students (and, in fact, people in general,) fail to reach their potential while others go on to achieve amazing things.

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drawing of person holding a brain

Metacognition’s Role in Learning

Metacognition refers to thinking about one’s own thinking or being mindful of one’s thinking processes. Research studies have shown that metacognition is one of the most effective ways to improve students’ academic performance and to help students achieve their academic potential (Wilson and Conyers 110).

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Leading Class Discussions

Class discussions provide a framework for students to think critically—out loud—about topics being covered in class. They also provide an opportunity to gauge how well your students are comprehending course concepts, assignments, and outside readings.

Properly facilitated, classroom discussions foster a sense of academic community, one in which students may openly share their thoughts and ideas as well as express, defend and explore differing opinions.

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