Strategies to Enhance Student Engagement

This session describes several strategies I use to ensure students learn foundational communication skills and are able to apply their learning to college-level coursework. I utilize the Foundations of English course to organize my instruction with a particular focus on Vygotsky's "Zone of Proximal Development." Mastery learning with diagnostic and organizational supports provides students with the opportunity to fully engage in their learning with the goal of retaining the knowledge and skills presented.

Unfortunately, many students have not been taught how to learn. Often, entering college students have relied heavily on high school teachers "telling" them what they know. Deep learning through a scaffolded approach allows students to build confidence in their academic ability. Students learn how to learn while becoming more metacognitively aware. My students are expected to take charge of their educational experience, but I also provide consistent support through the process.