For Student Engagement and to Manage Anxiety & Build Confidence with Public Speaking
INGREDIENTS
In my class, there is an assignment that combines teamwork, collaboration, campus navigation, and public speaking. They are assigned a campus resource to research and visit and comeback to present to the class.
I ask all small groups to give me a walkup song I play as they are moving to the front of the class. I’ve gotten super positive feedback from students who have extreme public speaking anxiety/fear.
Learn to Love Props
INGREDIENTS
◊ Immune system concept
◊ Oven mitts, different colors
◊ Volunteer student
◊ Acting gumption
Use oven mitts with students to demonstrate how immune cells recognize threats.
Know Your Students’ Names!
INGREDIENTS
If it’s a big class:
◊ Use name tents
◊ Use tech like UCATT’s name coach tool
Students WANT and NEED to be known!
Staying Curious
INGREDIENTS
◊ Commitment to lifelong learning
◊ Community
◊ Exploration
◊ Research
Cultivate a Learning Community!
For in-person or asynchronous online.
INGREDIENTS
◊ Establish that everyone-including you- is a learner—we all learn from each other
◊ Practice & model cultural humility
◊ Design & implement activities where everyone has an opportunity to ENGAGE each other and the learning
◊ Keep modeling safety and trust
◊ Give feedback
◊ Repeat!
Let Students Become the Experts
INGREDIENTS
When it comes to AI specifically create opportunities for students to share novel ways they are using AI to learn.
Solar System Sound Check
INGREDIENTS
Start every class with a song, call it the “Sound Check,” but use a song connected to the topic of the day.
Example: Bruno Mars, “Talking to the Moon” before a class about moon things.
Cocktail Party Guessing Game
INGREDIENTS
◊ Students get stickers on their back with different vitamins & minerals (one at a time)
◊ They have to guess which vitamin they are using only yes or no questions.
◦ Example: “Am i water-soluble”, “do athletes have increased requirements”
◊ Once they guess they move the sticker to the front and get a new sticker
University Center for Assessment, Teaching & Technology Teaching Exchange Symposium 2025
