HILT 2018 Conference: Improving Teaching by Studying Student Learning

TL;DR

Studying student learning involves identifying questions, collecting evidence through various methods, and analyzing the data to improve teaching practices.

Transcript

All right. Welcome, everybody. We're so happy to have you here, breakout session number 2. My name is Tamara Brenner. I'm executive director at the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning. And we are welcoming you to our session on improving learning by studying student learning. And I love the layout of this room, because it makes it really eas... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🎓 Studying student learning involves identifying research questions and collecting evidence through various methods.
• 💦 Direct evidence collection includes analyzing student work samples, observations, and reflections.
• 🧑‍🎓 Indirect evidence collection involves surveys and interviews to gauge student attitudes and perceptions.
• 💁 Quantitative and qualitative approaches can be used to analyze evidence and inform teaching practices.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can teachers improve their understanding of student learning in the classroom?

Teachers can study student learning by collecting direct evidence through samples of student work, observations, and reflections. They can also gather indirect evidence through surveys and interviews to understand student perceptions and attitudes towards learning.

Q: Can teachers accurately assess the effectiveness of their teaching strategies?

Yes, teachers can assess the effectiveness of their teaching strategies by collecting evidence on student learning outcomes. This can be done through pre-tests and post-tests, as well as analyzing student work and reflections on learning.

Q: What types of evidence can be collected to study student learning?

Evidence can be collected through student work samples, surveys, interviews, observations, and reflections. These methods provide insights into student understanding, attitudes, and progress in learning.

Q: How can research on student learning benefit teaching practices?

Research on student learning can provide valuable insights into effective teaching strategies, help identify areas for improvement, and guide the development of evidence-based instructional approaches. This can lead to enhanced student engagement and better learning outcomes.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL) allows practitioners to study student learning and improve the quality of education.

• Different approaches to studying student learning include direct evidence collection through student work and indirect evidence collection through surveys and interviews.

• Evidence can be gathered quantitatively or qualitatively, depending on the research question and goals.