One of my favorite things about being in academics is that we have two “new years.” The beginning of the academic year and the beginning of the calendar year provide two opportunities to make resolutions, set intentions, start over, try again, or start anew. This month, as you are thinking about your own 2019 resolutions to establish an exercise routine, eat healthier, or write more regularly, I encourage you to consider a pedagogical intention.
Perhaps you want to have a more engaging first day of class. Lang (2019) offers some great, practical suggestions.
Perhaps you’d like to energize your class discussions. Gooblar (2018) provides some excellent advice.
Maybe, if you have procrastinated like me, you might want to revamp your approach to your syllabi. If so, check out Gannon (2018).
And the list of potential pedagogical intentions goes on…
- Incorporating more active learning (and while you’re at it, check out CAT+FD’s new active learning classrooms)
- Using open education resources
- Increasing your technology use in the classroom
- Being more efficient with your grading
- Assigning more meaningful writing assignments
Me? In addition to attending yoga class, I intend to (try to) make learning more meaningful for my XCOR 1011 students. What’s your pedagogical intention?