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| I (Julie Dalke) am auditing Hoda Yousef’s class titled “The Making of the Modern Middle East,” and I am excited to share three teaching methodologies for this week’s “Caught in the Act” column. Her commitment to transparent instruction, dynamic lecturing, and effective review strategies significantly enhances student engagement and learning outcomes.
Hoda consistently employs the Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT) framework, ensuring that students understand the purpose behind their learning activities. In her syllabus, assignments, and class discussions, she clearly articulates the skills and knowledge students are expected to develop, fostering a conscious understanding of their learning process. This approach not only clarifies expectations but also empowers students to take ownership of their educational journey. Her dynamic lecturing style further enriches the classroom experience. By encouraging students to actively participate through questioning, seeking clarifications, and expressing curiosity during lectures, she transforms passive listening into an interactive dialogue. This method not only maintains high levels of engagement but also allows students to delve deeper into the subject matter, benefiting from her extensive expertise. Additionally, Hoda’s practice of beginning each class with a review session—prompting students to recall and discuss key points from previous lessons—serves as an effective strategy to reinforce learning. This technique activates prior knowledge, provides an informal assessment of student understanding, and sets a solid foundation for introducing new concepts. Through these thoughtful and evidence-based teaching practices, Hoda exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator, deeply committed to her students’ success. |