Balancing Lecture & Engagement

• How will you balance direct instruction with student engagement?

• What strategies can you use to make lectures more interactive (e.g., discussions, polling, problem-solving)?

• If a concept requires extended explanation, how might you break it up with activities that reinforce key ideas?

Classroom Environment & Setup

• How will the physical space support your learning goals? Would group seating, stations, or flexible arrangements enhance collaboration?

• In what ways can you incorporate movement to keep students engaged—rotating stations, interactive whiteboards, or switching partners?

• How can visual aids and whiteboards be used for collaborative learning and problem-solving?

• What role will technology play in your in-person classroom?

• Will tools like polling apps or real-time quizzes enhance engagement without replacing face-to-face interaction?

Designing Activities for In-Person Learning

• What types of structured discussions or debates will encourage students to think critically and defend their ideas?

• How can you incorporate real-world scenarios or case studies that challenge students to apply course concepts?

• Will demonstrations or hands-on exercises help reinforce key ideas? How can these be connected to industry practices or real-world challenges?

• How will students reflect on their learning at the end of a session? Could techniques like exit tickets or reflection prompts help solidify takeaways?

Leveraging Formative Assessments for Real-Time Engagement

• What quick feedback mechanisms will help students track their understanding during class?

• How can low-stakes formative assessments (e.g., live quizzes, peer feedback, think-pair-share) provide insights into student comprehension and guide your instruction in real time?

• What opportunities exist for students to apply concepts before moving forward, ensuring they have a strong grasp of the material?

1. Weekly Course Schedule

• Outline a detailed breakdown of the timeline for your course. This is typically organized by week for the duration of the term. A structured schedule ensures that all elements—content, activities, and assessments—are covered systematically.

2. Module Names and Titles

• Outline the main themes or topics for each module. These titles should be short, clear, and descriptive, providing a quick reference for each section of the course.

3. Course-Level Learning Outcomes (CLOS)

• These are typically found on your course outline. Check with your Academic Dean before making any changes to them.

• Include your CLOs on your Course Map for quick reference, as they guide all decisions that follow.

4. Module-Level Learning Outcomes (MLOS)

• Where possible, design MLOs that encourage students to apply concepts during class through discussions, hands-on activities, or real-time problem-solving.

• Remember to include outcomes that impact affective learning or interpersonal skills, leveraging the face-to-face environment to help foster collaboration, communication, and teamwork.

5. Learning Activities

• Take into account how the physical environment may impact how you organize your activities.

• If you required other spaces for an activity outside of the classroom (for example, a lab, studio, or a field trip), consider how and when those spaces can be accessed.

• Consider how to design active engagement activities (e.g., discussions, problem-solving tasks, peer reviews) where students engage deeply with the content, applying their knowledge in real-time. These activities act as formative assessments, giving students and instructors immediate insights into understanding, which can guide further learning and adjustments in future activities.

• Plan for structured real-time feedback during activities, providing instant clarification and guidance to help students address misunderstandings and stay on track.

6. Instructional Materials

• Consider what tangible materials such as textbooks, handouts, models, or equipment that students can interact with during class. Be clear about which materials will be covered in class and assessed, and which will be assigned as supplementary.

• While the primary mode is face-to-face, supplementary digital resources can be created to complement learning. They can play a valuable role in any tech-enhanced in-person class.

• On-the-Spot Resources - consider how to use whiteboards, flip charts, or other tools can be used to adapt to the dynamic flow of in-person discussions or other types of activities.

7. Assessments

• Where possible, consider observed assessments like presentations, performances, or practical exams that can be directly observed and evaluated in real-time.

• Conduct written quizzes/assessments during class to monitor understanding and adjust instruction accordingly.

• Leverage the in-person setting to facilitate group projects or peer assessments, promoting collaborative learning.

Core Elements of a Lesson Plan

• Engagement (Bridge-In)

  • Begin with an engaging activity or scenario that connects to prior knowledge, piques curiosity, and sets the stage for the lesson.

• Learning Objectives

  • Clearly define measurable outcomes, ensure alignment with course goals, and guide the selection of activities and assessments.

• Pre-Assessment (Checking Prior Knowledge)

  • Gauge students’ existing knowledge through brief activities to adjust instruction and ensure it meets their needs.

• Active Participation (Interactive Learning Activities)

  • Design interactive tasks (e.g., discussions, hands-on exercises) that allow students to apply concepts and engage with the material.

• Check for Understanding (Post-Assessment)

  • Continuously assess student comprehension through quick checks, peer feedback, and real-time adjustments to instruction.

• Closure & Reflection

  • Summarize key takeaways, encourage student reflection on their learning, and preview upcoming lessons or connections to future topics.

Lecture Notes and Presentations:

• Ensure that your lecture materials directly align with the course’s learning goals, providing clear and relevant information to help students achieve these objectives.

• Use concise language and avoid overloading slides with text. Focus on essential points to maintain student engagement and comprehension.

• Enhance understanding by integrating relevant images, charts, and diagrams that complement your verbal explanations.

• Use uniform fonts, colors, and layouts throughout your presentations and other course materials to establish a cohesive and professional appearance.

• Incorporate interactive elements such as questions or brief discussions to encourage participation and maintain attention.

Multimedia Resources:

• Diversify content delivery by considering how you can incorporate videos, podcasts, and interactive simulations within SLATE to cater to diverse learning preferences.

• Use multimedia to illustrate complex concepts, providing real-world examples wherever possible.

• Select high-quality multimedia resources that align with learning objectives, are appropriate for the course content, and will likely be accessible to instructors during future iterations of the course.

Reading Materials:

• Decide which articles, e-books, and other readings you might like to add to SLATE, ensuring they are organized by week or topic for easy navigation.

• Work with your Library Liaison to ensure you are following the appropriate copyright practices.

• If you elect to provide supplement course content, choose readings that complement lecture materials and provide additional perspectives or deeper insights into the subject matter.

• These materials should not be on assessed, as they are in being offered in addition to the required course materials.

Accessibility

• Ensure course content is accessible to all students by making it easy to navigate, clear, and designed to accommodate different learning needs.

• Consider elements such as readability, alternative formats, and intuitive organization. For guidance on accessibility best practices, consult SPARK.

Performance-Based Assessments

• Broad Strategy

  • Engage students in tasks that require the application of knowledge and skills in real-world or simulated scenarios.

• Specific Examples

  • Live Demonstrations: Students perform experiments or procedures in a controlled environment, showcasing their practical skills and understanding.

  • Role-Playing Simulations: Students act out scenarios relevant to their field of study, such as client consultations or crisis management, to demonstrate their ability to apply theoretical knowledge.

Practical Examinations

• Broad Strategy

  • Evaluate students’ proficiency in performing specific tasks or procedures pertinent to their discipline.

• Specific Examples

  • Clinical Skills Assessments: Ask students to demonstrate procedures like patient examinations or administering injections.

  • Technical Skill Tests: Students could be tasked with assembling a device or troubleshooting equipment.

Group Projects

• Broad Strategy

  • Foster collaboration and collective problem-solving by assigning tasks that require teamwork.

• Specific Examples

  • Design Challenges: Teams develop a product prototype or design solution, integrating various aspects of the curriculum.

  • Case Study Analyses: Groups analyze real-world scenarios, propose solutions, and present their findings.

Portfolios

• Broad Strategy

  • Compile a collection of student work over time to showcase progress, depth of understanding, and skill development.

• Specific Examples

  • Artistic Portfolios: Students curate a selection of their best works to demonstrate their style evolution and technical prowess.

  • Professional Portfolio: Using artifacts, students document their experiences, reflections, and growth as professionals throughout the course.

Supplementary Student Materials

You may wish to curate additional resources, such as external links, tutorials, and practice exercises, that complement course content and provide students with extra learning opportunities.

Examples:

• Provide tutorials that allow students to practice key concepts, such as online exercises that test core skills.

• Include external articles or videos that broaden students’ understanding and provide multiple perspectives on the topic.

Instructor’s Resource Folder

Maintain a dedicated folder Instructor’s Resource Folder in the course that contains all teaching materials and resources to ensure consistency across different instructors and iterations of the course.

Such a folder might be called Instructor Teaching Resources. Examples:

• Upload comprehensive lesson plans outlining objectives, activities, and timing to SLATE so all instructors have a clear structure for each class.

• Upload slides and other key teaching resources to keep all instructors on the same page.

Instructor Guide

Consider providing a comprehensive guide that offers support for instructors to help them implement the course as designed.

Consider adding it to the Instructor Teaching Resources folder. Examples:

• Share insights on common teaching challenges and solutions to support instructors, especially those new to the course.

• If your course uses a particular pedagogical approach, offer guidance or video tutorials (curated or created by you) on the approach.