Hello everyone,

I’m excited to share our innovative approaches to building a community of learning in our chemistry courses at Aurora University. Our students come with varying levels of preparedness and study skills, which can be challenging. To address this, we’ve implemented new strategies to foster a culture of learning, boost student confidence, and improve retention.

We’ve identified key challenges such as weak math literacy, poor study habits, and a lack of collaboration. To tackle these, we use technology like Prowise and Slido to enhance student thinking and collaboration. We also redesign assignments to include concept maps and group projects that connect to real-world issues.
Our approach includes sharing problem-solving work, using low-stakes assessments, and incorporating personal stories and case studies. We’ve also embedded peer tutors to support students. These strategies have shown positive outcomes, with students reflecting that group projects help build study relationships and real-world problems aid in retaining information.

By focusing on these methods, we’re not only improving learning outcomes but also creating a supportive and engaging learning environment. Thank you for your time.