{"id":67382,"date":"2025-01-24T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-24T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/ctl\/?p=67382"},"modified":"2025-01-21T10:31:19","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T17:31:19","slug":"unlocking-learning-insights-from-boise-state-students-on-what-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/ctl\/blog\/2025\/01\/24\/unlocking-learning-insights-from-boise-state-students-on-what-works\/","title":{"rendered":"Unlocking Learning: Insights from Boise State Students on What Works"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When it comes to soliciting feedback on teaching, going to the source\u2014our students\u2014often leads to insightful results. That\u2019s why the CTL offers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/ctl\/consultations\/map\/\">Mid-Semester Assessment Processes<\/a> (MAPs), which allow instructors to get student feedback on a course while the semester is still in progress. The CTL performed 32 MAPs across more than 10 academic programs in the fall 2024 semester, and did an analysis of what we heard from students. Here are the five main insights we gained about what Boise State instructors are doing to help their students learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Instructor Engagement &amp; Communication<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Students highlighted their appreciation for their instructor being approachable, welcoming, and open to feedback. This includes instructors showing <a href=\"https:\/\/teaching.cornell.edu\/teaching-resources\/engaging-students\/instructor-presence-and-interaction\">active participation<\/a> and interest in the subject matter as well as <a href=\"https:\/\/tll.mit.edu\/teaching-resources\/how-to-teach\/presentation-tips\/\">clear and transparent communication<\/a> around expectations, assignments, and learning evaluation. Moreover, students appreciated when instructors were prepared for class, <a href=\"https:\/\/site.nyit.edu\/ctl\/blog\/clarity_and_organization_in_the_classroom_improve_student_learning\">modeled effective time management<\/a>, slowed down on difficult topics and provided time for students to ask questions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Discussion-Based Learning<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Students appreciated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/ctl\/blog\/2016\/08\/18\/kinds-questions-promote-meaningful-class-discussions\/\">guided and open in-class discussions<\/a> to help them critically analyze and understand the course content while learning from their peers. Interestingly, students also reported that they found discussions about controversial topics or different perspectives to be valuable for growth and deepening understanding.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Engaging and Supportive Class Structure<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Instructors who combined lecturing with interactive elements (e.g., group work, activities, games) kept <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/ctl\/blog\/2023\/01\/18\/creating-variety-in-learning-activities\/\">students engaged and motivated<\/a>. Similarly, opportunities for hands-on practice, group work, and project demonstrations were celebrated. Regular check-ins and short breaks during long classes helped students maintain their focus. A supportive, non-judgmental environment in which students felt comfortable asking questions also enhanced their learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Resources &amp; Study Aids<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Students highlighted the availability of recorded class sessions and slides to help them review material at their own pace after class. Study guides or outlines and pre-lecture quizzes were said to foster better preparation and understanding of the course material. Many students valued presentation slides that focused on key takeaways.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Real-World Application<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Students appreciated learning through <a href=\"https:\/\/ablconnect.harvard.edu\/make-real-world-connections-course-material\">real-life scenarios and examples<\/a>, especially from the instructors&#8217; personal experiences, saying that it added depth and understanding to the learning process and enhanced the relevance of the material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you interested in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/ctl\/consultations\/map\/\">Mid-Semester Assessment Process<\/a> and receiving feedback from <strong>your <\/strong>students this semester? <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/dXkAXQXJyYso62jq9\">Sign up for a MAP<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to soliciting feedback on teaching, going to the source\u2014our students\u2014often leads to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2704,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,3078],"tags":[3064,3058,3059],"class_list":["post-67382","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-design","category-learner-centered-teaching","tag-course-design","tag-learner-centered-teaching","tag-reflective-teaching"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - 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