We’ve all had that moment when we’re teaching a class, and as you’re reading the words straight off the PowerPoint slides, your eyes start to get heavy, and you realise that whatever you do next doesn’t matter. You’re boring yourself, and boring your students, and nothing you say is going to sink in.
There are many challenges we face as teachers, but I think a major one is making sure students are not only well-informed of the discipline content, but also of the support services and help available to them when they’re at University.
Scholarly Teaching Fellow Jacqueline Melvold from the Faculty of Transdisciplinary Innovation recognised the lack of student engagement surrounding reception of information related to the available support services at UTS. Instead of reciting words off a PowerPoint slide and unrealistically expecting students to remember it all, she decided she was going to make the students learn and remember – by having some fun.
Melvold designed a series of cards with information for students about the different services offered by UTS, which had to be matched to another card with the logo for the different services in a game of “memory.” The cards are laid down flat, and students turn two over at a time, trying to match the logo with information about the services provided. If the logo and the information didn’t match, the cards are turned back, and the next student takes their turn.
The cards held information about UTS:HELPS, UTS Housing, UTS:Library and UTS health services – to name just a few. Not only does this engage the students and help them to learn (and remember!!) the support services available, but it also serves as a strategic ice-breaker for participating students during Orientation Week.
Melvold has really hit the nail on the head with this one – and now you need to ask yourself – how important is it to you that your students know where to find help? Get innovating and keep them informed.
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