Sophie Adamson, associate professor of French and chair of the Department of World Languages & Cultures, presented on Feb. 24, 2018, at the Lilly Conference on Active and Engaged Learning.
Sophie Adamson, associate professor of French and chair of the Department of World Languages & Cultures, presented on Feb. 24, 2018, at the Lilly Conference on Active and Engaged Learning.
In her session, “Student-led Discussions for Best Practices in Teaching and Learning,” Adamson introduced a pedagogical model that transforms a traditional “student presentation” into a seminar-style discussion led by students in which their classmates’ engagement and feedback are integral. She shared examples of ways to increase “experiences of engagement” and emphasized the importance of clearly documented expectations by way of detailed rubrics.
Adamson drew on research by scholars of teaching & learning including Elizabeth F. Barkley, author of "Student Engagement Techniques: A Handbook for College Faculty," who stresses the importance of fostering student motivation, promoting active learning, and building community. Barkley writes: “As college teachers, we can strive to increase experiences of deep engagement, reduce the incidence of indifference and apathy that characterize lack of engagement, and attend to the many ways we can adapt our teaching methods to enhance engaged learning throughout the range in between” (8). According to Barkley: “To be a true learning community, all members must exchange information, ideas, and opinions” (122). Through student-led discussions that resemble seminars, content is informative and consistently interactive through a communally beneficial experience where all students’ learning is made visible.
Part of Adamson’s travels to the conference were funded by a Travel Grant from the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning; Travel Reimbursement Grants supplement faculty travel support from other parts of the University, making it possible for more faculty to participate in national and international initiatives on teaching and learning. For questions about CATL travel grants or other grants, email catl@elon.edu or visit CATL’s website.