Donna Graham faculty photo

Donna Graham, faculty member in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food & Life Sciences, led a Wally Cordes Chair Discussion called “This is Not My First Rodeo,” in which she discussed navigating the changing expectations of students at the University.

In this presentation Graham compared the different expectations to students as different types of rodeo events.  In some cases students have requests and expectations, such as asking facutly to provide detailed outlines, examples, and assignments, which is like barrel racing, difficult and demanding. In other cases it is like wrestling steers with students questioning their grades, requesting class notes, asking “Did I miss anything important?” or “Can you just post the slides?” or “Can I turn it in tomorrow?”  (For more analogies see her presentation below.)

Some of the main take aways from Graham’s presentation were the variety of expectations students have.  Some of these include:

  • A growing expectation of technology utilization
  • Learning and communication style is through multi-media formats such as
    • Text & Graphics- slideshows, Prezi, Infographics, diagrams
    • Audio – podcasts
    • Video – lecture capture, animation, Screen capture
    • Other – Webinars, Moodle, Blogs, Interactive Content
  • More access to instructor and additional resources
  • Collaboration and group work
  • Global orientation and mindset
  • expectation of accommodations


Graham made several changes to address these challenges:

  • Clear Direction
  • Variety of approaches
  • Frequent Feedback for recall
  • Build community
  • Communication

She also shared research about “Nintendo-fying” the classroom and creating a game-like setting to increase engagement and activity of students.

image of computer with icons

 

For more information on Donna Graham’s teaching methods, the presentation can be downloaded and viewed as a PDF: Donna Graham – This is Not my first rodeo or you can email her at 

dgraham@uark.edu

This content was developed from a presentation by Donna Graham which was sponsored by The Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center (TFSC) at the University of Arkansas.