Category: Teaching for Learning

Explore evidence-informed approaches to support student learning and success.

Comprehension Checks

Reading Time: 7 minutesTeachers usually ask questions to check whether or not pupils understand what is being narrated to them. While this is an important reason for asking questions, we think that they should not be asked with the sole intention of controlling or ‘punishing’ the pupil, but rather with the aim of determining whether or not they are receiving all the help...

When Students are Non-Responsive in Synchronous Online Classes

Reading Time: 7 minutesIt can feel confusing or frustrating if a student attends your synchronous online class but does not join a breakout room or reply to you during class. You cannot determine if they are having tech trouble, have walked away from their device, or are simply listening quietly. It is unlikely that students who are non-responsive or inactive during synchronous online...

Observing Behaviours and Developing Solutions in a Collaborative Environment

Reading Time: 5 minutesAmy Huskins has been a full-time professor in the Early Childhood Education program since 2015, and is currently the program coordinator for first-year students. She has worked as an educator with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. Before coming to Conestoga, Amy was the executive director of the Conception Bay Family Resource Program in her home province of Newfoundland, providing...

The Value of Active Listening and Discussing Industry Practices

Reading Time: 3 minutesJan Vilaca has taught part-time in Conestoga’s School of Business since 2018. She worked as an executive assistant in post-secondary education, yet retired from her full-time career over three years ago. Jan owns and operates two unique businesses in Southwestern Ontario which she created from the ground up. She has a love of culinary tourism and owns/operates “Tasty Road Trips Incorporated”,...

Active Learning on Zoom: Breakout Rooms

Reading Time: 4 minutesConestoga College encourages teamwork and collaboration in diverse groups where students can learn from each other. Small group discussions in person or virtually help promote peer-to-peer interaction, critical reflection, and perspective and content sharing. In this short video, we’ll see an example of how Lauren promotes collaborative work through the breakout room tool in Zoom.  Breakout group sessions may be...