The Center for Teaching and Learning partners with University of Texas instructors to create successful learning environments. Here are three major areas of focus to create a culture of innovation.
Experiential Learning – the active class
Design activities to help students think more critically about the content. Activities can help the students link disparate pieces of information together, scaffold the skills and concepts to construct knowledge. To learn more: http://ctl.utexas.edu/teaching/engagement/experiential-learning
Social Learning – the Interactive Class
Get students interacting with watch other by adding a layer of social engagement around the ways you are already guiding students” learning. In addition, you can strategize your entire teaching approach around maximizing these opportunities to have students exchange ideas and engage learning with multiple perspectives. To learn more: http://ctl.utexas.edu/teaching/engagement/social-learning
Students are more likely to engage in experiential learning when they: see value in what they’re learning, believe that engaging in specific actions will bring about a desired outcome, believe they can be successful, and perceive that the environment is supportive. To learn more: http://ctl.utexas.edu/teaching/engagement/student-motivation