Stephen Babcock

One part of this content that really stood out to me was varying your introduction. I like to tell cheesy jokes before the class starts, which are usually well-received. I haven't thought about doing something different but now I'm brainstorming some other things I can do. Maybe a funny video from a television show like America' Funniest Home videos? Maybe a funny video related to the content. I'm thinking a lot about this. Thank you. 

I agree it is important to give students opportunities to get to know one another. From the first day throughout the entire semester, I have numerous class activities that require them to interact either in large groups or dyads. 

I spend hours every week adjusting and preparing the content for the following week. I prepare more materials and activities that are necessary in case we finish up content earlier than planned. I enjoy the planning process immensely.

I grow as a professional by directly asking students for suggestions on how to make the class even more interactive and engaging. I continue to evolve as a profession by taking in feedback from students and also observing colleagues teach and assimilating some of their strategies. 

I am a fan of Dr. Dewey. I studied his work and Knowles' work regarding adult learning and apply it when facilitating. In my doctoral dissertation, my study investigated humor and undergraduate student engagement ("Laughing to Learn: A Quantitative Study of Humor and Student Engagement in Higher Education) if anyone wants to look it up on Google Scholar). I am passionate about finding way to engage all learners and students both graduate and undergraduate. 

As stated in this content, clear communication is vital for a professor. Before I begin a virtual class, I post a welcome video going over the course logistics. If the class is on campus, I post all the policies, expectations, and guidelines then spend time reviewing it during the first session. I also ask learners in all formats for their expectations and preferences. I refer to that process as a "Start of Course Survey." 

A lot of what I currently engage in was reviewed. I engage online students in a number of activities and discussions. I also love to include humor at the onset of the session and sporadically throughout the course (e.g., cheesy jokes, funny videos that are related to the content, funny online games related to the content, etc.). It is very easy now to develop games and assimilate humor and relevant content into it. 

I have been engaging in this process already for several years. In an exclusively virtual class, I create activities where students can debate, discuss their experiences related to the content, forms groups and complete various activities, and I even have students teach some content and take over for me. I constantly develop new strategies. I enjoy it. It's fun, and hopefully fun and engaging for the learners as well.