Teaching Recommendations

HIVES Teaching Recommendations
Download Teaching Recommendations Infographic (JPG)

Infographic Description

Recommendations for Teaching in the HIVES

Before Class Starts
  • Design activities that meet your learning outcomes and take advantage of the space.
  • Decide what technology you will and won’t use.
  • Take an incremental approach to changes in teaching.
  • Visit the room to familiarize yourself.
First Day of Class
  • Communicate your philosophy about teacher and student roles.
  • Articulate expectations for student-instructor and student-student interaction.
  • Inform students that you will solicit their feedback.
During Class Sessions
  • Direct student attention during class.
  • Set aside time for large group interaction.
  • Ask for student feedback early in the semester.
  • Don’t be afraid to rearrange the furniture.

Adapted from: Peterson, C. I., & Gorman, K. S. (2014). “Strategies to address common challenges when teaching in an active learning classroom”.

Before Classes Begin:

Visit your HIVES classroom

  • Bring your device (e.g., laptop/tablet/etc.), if you plan on using it during class.
  • No cables are provided for the credenza. You will need to provide your own HDMI or VGA cable, if you use your own laptop or tablet during teaching.
  • Bring a dongle/adapter if your device requires one.

Try out the technology in the space

  • Are you confident operating your own device and/or the credenza computer?
  • Are you confident in projecting student work on the wall screens?
  • Can you control the lights and sound in the room?

Whiteboards

  • Markers & cloths will be stored in a box on top of the credenza
  • Markers will be supplied in the rooms — please leave them there (If bringing your own markers, please bring name-brand only; no dollar-store markers, please)
  • To clean white boards, please use the microfiber cloths provided in the rooms (if needed, you may add a bit of water to them)

Furniture

  • Please explore the different table and chair configurations that are possible, and think about delivery methods/interactions that are most suitable for your context.
  • If you would like to discuss ideas on room configuration, please contact Heidi Marsh.
  • Be sure to unplug all cables from the walls before moving technology tables.
  • Be aware that power outlet cords may be difficult to plug back in — this is not to discourage you from moving tables, only to let you know that it takes some finesse to get the plugs back in! When you are plugging cords in, the trick is to make sure all prongs go in at exactly the same time and then give it a forceful jolt with the palm of your hand.
  • When you plug a technology table in, the blue lights will come on immediately but the system will take 60 seconds to connect.

First Day of Class:

Inform your students of where to borrow adapters/dongles for their devices

  • When preparing communication with students for the first day (e.g., course introduction, syllabus, BlackBoard site, etc.), please inform your students that they may borrow an adapter/dongle for their device (if their device is not already HDMI compatible) from the I.T. Services desk (NX 210). This will allow your students to connect their phone or tablet to the tables. **You may sign out a class set of dongles from the I.T. Services desk. This is a good option if you are planning an activity that requires students to connect their devices.

Review lock-down procedures

  • Watch the video on lock-down procedures, and take note of how you would implement these procedures in your HIVES classroom, bearing in mind that some of the walls are glass. Consider showing the video to your class during the first day as well.

Need Help?

View a list of important numbers and contacts to help you with any issues that you may come across in a Flexible, Collaborative Learning Space.

Get Help