A Team Project that Improves Student Engagement in Large Classes

Abstract

Our university has grown dramatically over the past several years. Although there is much that is good about this growth, it has also generated growing pains. The increase in student enrollment has outpaced the addition of new faculty and classroom space, and this is reflected in the enrollment doubling in one of our department’s junior-level courses. We share an innovative team project assignment that has successfully improved the level of engagement of students in this large-class format. Readers will find a thoughtfully designed and thoroughly tested model for improving student engagement in their own large classes.