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Instructional Strategies & Innovations

As an instructor, I am consistently trying to modify, optimize, and revisit the learning strategies that I use with my students. I find that there is always room for improvement in my teaching, and I enjoy considering the literature and speaking with colleagues to improve my own teaching. Below are a few strategies that I have found effective and actively utilize in my teaching
Student-Centered Learning
My primary goal as an instructor is to encourage students to take ownership of their own learning and pursue their education in a way that is meaningful for them. I prefer to allow my students to take initiative in decision-making aspects when appropriate, which aids in the developing transferable skills and allows students to determine aspects that can then be transferred into their future goals. I also have found that this removes a barrier between the instructor and the students, allowing students to recognize the intentions of the instructor and view the relationship as a collaborative approach to improve student learning.
 
Student centered learning can take on many forms. One method that I find to be incredibly valuable is to provide ample opportunities for feedback. I check in with my students multiple times throughout each semester and ensure that they feel I am approachable and open to their ideas and concerns. Further, I like to provide students with opportunities to pursue their interests. For instance, this may be accomplished by allowing them to chose a topic for a final presentation or assignment, permitting them to explore and delve into fields that interest them.
Cooperative Learning
I sincerely believe that collaborative learning and group work is an incredibly valuable too to be utilized in the classroom. This allows students to not only develop and consolidate their learning with their peers, but also develop important transferable skills in communication, conflict resolution, and time management. This also encourages students to stay up-to-date with course content, identify weaknesses in their knowledge, and take responsibility for their learning. 
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Cooperative learning can be applied on a multitude of scales. In my teaching, I attempt to utilize these strategies as often as possible. For instance, I utilize "think-pair-share" activities in lectures to encourage low-stakes participation and engagement in the lecture. In smaller lab groups, I also employ "think-pair-share" strategies, but also like to have students work together in small groups to work through a problem and present their knowledge. I believe that these strategies truly allow students to consolidate what they are learning. 
Active Learning
Threaded throughout all aspects of my teaching is active learning. This method often supplements or is encompassed in the strategies above, however I feel that it is just as  imperative to student success on its own. As an instructor, I want to engage my students. I consistently aim to include students in various aspects of their learning and encourage them to take an active role in their education. 
 
As described previously, I employ these strategies in as many contexts as possible. In lectures, I include "think-pair-share" activities, individual questions, and case studies to encourage participation. In smaller sessions, I encourage students to try to figure out the answer for themselves by consulting other resources to help with their knowledge consolidation rather than simply giving them the answer. Individually, I ask students consider reflections on their learning and engage in self-assessments to track their progress. Together, these strategies allow students to be active in their learning, rather than sitting at the sidelines.
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© 2021 Liliana Wolak

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