Classroom Transformation

By: Maurice Stovall, Sr.

I recently had the chance to present at the CONNECT: Michigan Teaching and Learning Conference at Eastern Michigan University on February 13. My presentation was entitled, “Students’ Life Experiences Can Impact Learning.” I chose this topic because many of my students have stated their young lives, and the experiences they have had, are treated poorly and minimized in the classroom. Many have said they wished more instructors/professors would not take them, or their life experiences, for granted. As a result I began to ask them what goes on in their lives and use it to help teach my courses.

In my teaching, I began to focus on how to use what they know in their lives and enhance my teaching. This included transforming the classroom. How, you ask? I started using more engagement activities, making use of interactive classrooms and having them share more about themselves. This included assignments such as SWOT Analysis. In this assignment the students have to describe what are their Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats. This created an environment where they wanted to be more actively involved. 

The assignments became more centered around the students. I analyzed what the topic was for the day or week and prepared assignments that gave better insights. When we discussed starting a business, many students asked more questions and became involved with “writing a business plan.”

It became apparent to me when more and more young students started taking my courses; they

wanted their voice to be heard. Many times older people say things to young students like “You’re green” or “What do you know?” They may be only 16-19, but they have those years which are theirs. The experiences they have gained make them who they are. By having them share more about themselves I found my courses to be more stimulating for them. They also started actively participating in group discussions and group work.

I challenge any educator to look at what you are assigning to your students and ask the question, “Is the homework you assign relevant?” Having students discuss topics like “creating the customer experience, motivation in the workplace, and marketing.” has helped improve attendance and retention of the material. I have observed students taking more notes in class.

I encourage educators to look at your classroom set-up, your teaching style, and lecture material. You can make changes to these areas and improve your student’s involvement. I am fortunate to have whiteboard walls in my classroom. I utilize them by having students work at the walls in pairs or groups and share their work. This causes them to prepare the materials and work with a classmate. They share with each other and with the class as a whole.

Over the past 2 years I was able to learn more about my students. Their engagement improved when they realized how much their experiences meant. Students now share more about their home life, work life, past interactions with teachers and interactions with peers.

This is a short overview of what I presented at CONNECT, but I hope it will give you some insights on the importance of including student’s life experiences in your classroom setting.

Before I end, I want to encourage you to remember two famous quotes:

The first is by George Bernard Shaw, from 1903:

“Those who can do, but those who can’t teach!” 

This quote has often been used to disparage teachers. It was not what G.B. Shaw intended. 

The second is by M. E. Stovall 2010-

“Those who can do, because of those that teach!” 

I have made this adjustment to show how important teachers are at any level of education and in any field. It is vital to know that those “who can” do so by applying what they have learned from those “who teach.”

Editor’s Note: This blog entry is the third of four featuring presenters from the CONNECT Teaching Conference, held on February 13, 2026, at Eastern Michigan University. We are pleased, this week, to feature this piece from a colleague at Washtenaw Community College.