Since my module is an optional introductory one, it tends to attract a large cohort of students from different disciplines. This implies that not everyone has studied Sociology previously, or is familiar with the ‘sociological lens’. Accordingly, and particularly during on-campus teaching, I found it challenging to get students to share their thoughts on the content and how it linked to their own experiences and how these are shaped by their class, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, (dis)abilities, etc.<\/p>\n
What was the solution?<\/h4>\n
I incorporated Mentimeter, a tool for designing interactive presentations, in my lectures. Mentimeter offers a number of options including multiple choice questions, live polling (similar to Turning Point), and a very useful ‘open ended’ option whereby students are able to anonymously write their thoughts and experiences on a certain question. Students could use both their phones and laptops to access Mentimeter’s website, type in the unique code, and submit their responses which automatically appear on the screen.<\/p>\n
Example:<\/p>\n
The students’ engagement significantly increased. This was evident in the number of students submitting responses (Mentimeter automatically\u00a0counts the response rate), and in the quality and richness of discussions that followed. Many students have positively mentioned Mentimeter in the Unit Surveys, and in their ‘informal’ feedback to me after lectures. Importantly, I found Mentimeter to work best when students are asked to reflect and comment on how a particular sociological theory or concept can be linked to their own experiences.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”3.17.6″][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Evaluation \/ Student Feedback” open=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” link_option_url_new_window=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” background_video_pause_outside_viewport=”on” text_shadow_style=”none” box_shadow_style=”none” hover_transition_duration=”300ms” hover_transition_delay=”0ms” hover_transition_speed_curve=”ease” text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em”]<\/p>\n In response to the question ‘What aspect of Dr Nadim Mirshak’s approach to teaching best helped your learning?’<\/p>\n The interactive side of the lecture, when he used Mentimeter, because it allows everyone to participate and engage in the lecture without having to actually speak in front of the class<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n His interaction with us, using Mentimeter, and talking to students<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Engagement with students and their experiences through using Mentimeter<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Nadim allows students to have their say via an interactive class app [Mentimeter] and creates a safe and non-judgemental environment if you wish to speak. I especially liked how Nadim will often apply concepts such as \u2018institutional racism\u2019 or \u2018inequalities in education\u2019 to personal experiences, this method makes the perspectives and theories more relatable<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Benefits” open=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” link_option_url_new_window=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” background_video_pause_outside_viewport=”on” text_shadow_style=”none” box_shadow_style=”none” hover_transition_duration=”300ms” hover_transition_delay=”0ms” hover_transition_speed_curve=”ease” text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Top Tips” open=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” link_option_url_new_window=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” background_video_pause_outside_viewport=”on” text_shadow_style=”none” box_shadow_style=”none” hover_transition_duration=”300ms” hover_transition_delay=”0ms” hover_transition_speed_curve=”ease” text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em”]<\/p>\n Make sure you demonstrate to students how they can use Mentimeter at the start of the module. There are a number of good instructional videos available on YouTube. Make sure you have the unique code featured clearly in your lecture slides and read it out as well.<\/p>\n Mentimeter worked best when the question revolved around how students could link a certain topic\/sociological concept to their own experiences. Regular ‘commentary’ by the lecturer on the responses being submitted is helpful in reassuring students and encouraging more of them to interact.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”3.17.6″ show_avatar=”on” show_reply=”on” show_count=”on” background_layout=”light” header_font_size_tablet=”51″ header_line_height_tablet=”2″ custom_button=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_use_icon=”off” parent_locked=”off” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Related posts” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_layout=”light” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Spacer” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ \/][et_pb_button admin_label=”Home Button” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ button_text=”Good Practice Library Home” button_url=”https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humteachlearn\/good-practice-library\/” \/][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.17.6″ src=”https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humteachlearn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/205\/2022\/03\/PhoneApp.jpg” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n School:<\/strong> Social Sciences<\/p>\n Discipline:<\/strong> Sociology<\/p>\n Academic:<\/strong> Nadim Mirshak<\/p>\n Course:<\/strong> SOCY10401 Inequalities in Contemporary British Society<\/p>\n Cohort Size:<\/strong> 140<\/p>\n Themes:<\/strong> Teaching ideas, Student engagement, Enhancing learning with technology<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.17.6″ \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Ref” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Connect Title” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” _builder_version=”3.0.90″ background_color=”#1d1d1d” module_class=”footer-section” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” global_module=”380″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” global_parent=”380″ locked=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_3=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” make_equal=”off” module_id=”footer-row” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us” global_parent=”380″ text_text_color=”#aaaaaa” parent_locked=”off” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_class=”contact-us” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n +44 (0) 161 306 6000<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Find Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Address” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_id=”address” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n The University of Manchester [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Connect Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Social Media” global_parent=”380″ parent_locked=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/ul>\n [\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Nadim Mirshak (SoSS) discusses how he uses Mentimeter to encourage student interaction in both online and on-campus 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<\/a><\/p>\nHow successful was the solution?<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
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Related<\/h1>\n
Related posts:<\/h3>
Online Journals as a Tool for Learning<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a>
Delivering interactive lectures for large student cohorts using Adobe Spark (now Adobe Express)<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a>
Groupwork to produce a collaborative radio programme\/podcast<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>
Ref: 039<\/pre>\n
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Find Us<\/h4>\n
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