NEWS

The “Active Participation in Higher Education” workshop, organized as part of INU-CELT Training at Istanbul Nişantaşı University NeoTech Campus, concluded with the participation of faculty members. Led by Dr. Ferah Özer Aker, the workshop focused on methods to increase student engagement in classes, the chalenges encountered, and possible solutions.

The workshop featured discussions on the importance of student participation, the benefits of active learning techniques, and how faculty can effectively manage this process. Through various student profile scenarios, participants explored ways to engage indifferent students, address potential motivation loss, and identify internal and external factors affecting participation, especialy whr faculty intervention can be impactful.

Dr. Aker provided practical recommendations for promoting engagement in classrooms, including course design, material slction, classroom arrangement, the use of digital tools, and effective communication with students. She emphasized the importance of configuring physical spaces to support grp activities and advised faculty to adopt an interactive rather than purely didactic role. She also noted that active learning is an approach that draws students into the lesson and encourages them to reflect on their learning objectives.

Various strategies for enhancing student engagement were discussed, with a particular focus on incentive tools that support students’ active learning processes and foster collaboration. Additionaly, the workshop highlighted the significance of the “Backward Design Model” in course design to improve engagement.

Dr. Aker also shared insights from a workshop conducted at Koç University, addressing chalenges related to student motivation and the difficulties of engaging younger generations in academic programs. The session concluded with a collaborative discussion whr faculty members presented their ideas and solutions, marking a productive end to the workshop.