Caught in the Act is a new bi-weekly column where Denison faculty share something cool that their humble colleague does with their classes. This week, Andrea Lourie, by way of May Mei, caught Matt Jungers in the act of a cool teaching practice.
Beyond the formal assessments, Matt has implemented a more informal method to monitor his students’ progress and well-being: the use of Blue Books. At the end of every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday class, he reserves a few minutes for students to write in their Blue Book, which he distributes at the start of the semester. Students may pose a question about the day’s material, summarize a key point, or share personal concerns. Matt reads each entry and responds between classes, making these books a semester-long dialogue record.
While some students focus strictly on course content, others discuss broader issues like stress or personal challenges. This approach allows Matt to offer support and connect with students, particularly those who are less vocal during class. It proves especially useful if a student struggles academically or personally, providing a more effective communication channel than email.
Matt finds this practice most valuable in introductory classes. It takes him about 45 minutes to respond to each sessions’s entries for a class of 25, a time investment he believes is well worth the benefits. He enjoys the personal interaction of distributing and collecting the books, using this process to greet each student and subtly track attendance.
Feedback from Matt’s student evaluations frequently highlights the value of the Blue Books, affirming Matt’s commitment to continue this practice.
What a cool idea that:
1) Develops an important connection between student and faculty member,
2) Is a manageable time commitment, and
3) Is a simple way to track attendance.
Thanks, Andrea and May, for sharing this great idea! We hope the three of you will enjoy lunch together on the Center.