Login

u/EnvironmentalSite115

▲ 21 r/Professors

I rolled back the clocks this semester and made them all handwrite their exam answers in blue books and handwrite answers to questions on the readings during class. But learning to think through and write papers is so valuable! I don't use AI at all, and don't know how it could be used appropriately in a university teaching context. I have not found any good guidance (and definitely not from my university, which is putting its head in the sand!). Have others found any strategy that works well? Thanks!

reddit.com
u/EnvironmentalSite115 — 16 days ago
▲ 11 r/Professors

Hi all, I'm relatively new to Reddit but thought this might be a good forum to share some ideas for short activities to liven up lectures (and hopefully keep students' attention for a brief moment at least). I'll share some tricks I've used and would love to hear from others:

- To illustrate confirmation bias (relevant to that day's lecture), I give them this puzzle: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/07/03/upshot/a-quick-puzzle-to-test-your-problem-solving.html (It surprises them every time!)

- I also play a magic trick where I ask the crowd for two topics, two students respond, I look really flustered for a moment, then suddenly come up with about 10 minutes of lecture material, including a brief video and multiple slides, on precisely the intersection of those topics. (Inevitably, someone will come up to me at the end of the semester and ask how I did it! I never reveal my secret, though.... See if you can guess! :o) )

I'd love to hear any other ideas! Thanks!

u/EnvironmentalSite115 — 17 days ago