EDI Mini-Fest  

Session Outline:

In the past there has been a reliance and expectation that students will step up and engage with material taught, which of course is not always the case. Many of us are familiar with the idea of a lecture in University having only one speaker, the lecturer, in the front of the room and the students sit quietly and take notes and will walk out of the room having learned and digested everything taught. 

Active and engaged learning is the process in which students become involved in their own learning. In recent years we have seen that in order to achieve the best results and the best academic experience, a more active approach is preferable. 

Active Learning means students and lecturers are on a journey together with participation, flexibility and commitment on both sides. Students are not passively absorbing knowledge but participating in activities that encourage subject learning through peer discussion and collaboration, cementing that knowledge. Active learning projects develop skills including team work, presentation and analysis later used in the workplace. 

None of this can take place effectively without a sense of belonging within the classroom which needs to be encouraged from the start. I will be sharing the approaches I have taken to support and encourage empathy and understanding and in so doing foster the ideal learning environment for success and engagement. Case studies stem from my experience with international students from all over the world in South Africa, the United States and England.

Session Aims:

Share tools and approaches for encouraging a sense of belonging in the classroom.