The final session of the Teach Econference 2024 brought together a distinguished panel of educators to discuss innovative strategies for enhancing student engagement. The panel featured Flower Darby, Eric Brewe, and Deborah Gill, who shared their experiences and insights on effective pedagogical practices across various disciplines. Below is a summary of the key points and takeaways from the discussion. 

Introduction and Overview 

The session began with an introduction by the chair, who emphasized the importance of learning from other disciplines to improve economics education. The panelists were invited to speak about their work in pedagogy, their experiences with teaching and learning, and to share practical tips and strategies. 

Flower Darby: Fostering Student Motivation 

Having extensive experience teaching in various formats and disciplines, including English, dance, and educational technology, Flower Darby highlighted the importance of fostering intrinsic motivation in students by helping them see the relevance of what they are learning. This also involves showing students how the material benefits them and why it is important. Darby also emphasized the role of immediacy cues, such as maintaining a positive expression, making eye contact (where culturally appropriate), and using students’ names to build rapport and create a supportive learning environment, ultimately enhancing student engagement in any course 

Eric Brewe: Active Learning in Physics Education 

Eric Brewe, a physicist, who has worked extensively on curriculum development and active learning strategies, discussed the importance of making learning relevant and engaging through active learning techniques. He stressed the need for students to participate in meaningful ways that are useful to them and the importance of listening to students and adapting teaching methods to their needs. He also acknowledged the challenges of large class sizes and the need to break down these classes into smaller, more manageable groups. 

Deborah Gill: Lessons from Medical Education 

As Vice President of Education and Students at a university and also a medical educator. Deborah Gill shared her dual perspective on boosting student engagement. Gill emphasized the importance of evidence-based teaching practices and the need to adapt these practices to different contexts. She highlighted four broad areas of effective teaching: reducing reliance on lectures, incorporating placements and internships, designing well-considered assessments, and creating a safe and inclusive learning environment. She also pointed out that student satisfaction is often linked to feeling valued and supported, rather than just the content of the course. Gill stressed the importance of showing students warm regard and building meaningful relationships. 

Discussion and Q&A 

The panelists engaged in a lively discussion, addressing questions from the audience about the challenges of teaching large, diverse classes and the importance of making material relevant to students. Key insights included: 

• Building Rapport: Simple strategies like using students’ names, sharing personal anecdotes, and creating opportunities for peer interaction can significantly enhance student engagement. 

• Personalizing Learning: The panelists discussed the potential of using generative AI to create personalized learning experiences that cater to students’ individual interests and motivations. 

• Active Learning: The importance of starting with small, manageable changes to incorporate active learning techniques was emphasized. This approach helps build confidence and gradually transforms the learning environment. 

This blog was produced with the help of Microsoft Copilot.