Dr. Michael London reflects on his experience developing the “co-created classroom” concept and emphasizes the importance of creating ownership through discussions.
Video Summary
Dr. Michael London discusses the role of teaching assistants (TAs) in building a sense of partnership and community in the classroom. He also addresses techniques for using technology in classrooms to engage students. The speaker advocates for partnering with students on individual sessions, sharing personal stories in the classroom, and coaching students to build a grounded confidence. He emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment to build confidence and improve the classroom experience for all.
Key Points from the Video
🔵 Dr. Michael London developed the co-created classroom concept to engage students. He encourages educators not to give up on students and to create ownership through discussions.
🔵 Using students as TAs can improve engagement in the classroom, as well as coach and mentor them to build their skills and development. The TA should be involved in co-creating the classroom culture by partnering with students to guide them in designing their own learning experiences.
🔵 Prioritizing student engagement is key in making a deeper level of impact on students’ lives. Student engagement is defined as the heightened simultaneous experience of concentration, interest, enjoyment in the task at hand and in what is being said and done.
🔵 Students may not be aware of their interests or may have doubts about the class. To combat this uncertainty, the first day of class should focus on helping students connect with others and creating the expectation of active involvement and participation. The four corner exercise is one way to do this—create stations where students can talk about a question and develop commonalities with others.
🔵 There are three dimensions of engagement, which include behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement. Boredom is a negative psychological state, which can result in procrastination and low arousal. To prevent boredom, give students work that is meaningful and provide direction and choice.
🔵 Sharing personal stories in the classroom can help students build confidence and feel like they can succeed. A supportive environment can lead to a cycle of aspiration and positive feedback. Becoming a mentor and engaging in the debriefing process are additional ways to build confidence and improve the classroom experience for students.
🔵 Students may enter a course expecting to be passive, but this can change as they become more invested. Students that take ownership over their learning have a genuine interest in collaboration and facilitating engagement.
