Enhancing Engagement in Large Community, Environment & Development Classes

Timothy W. Kelsey

Professor of Agricultural Economics and Program Coordinator

College of Agricultural Sciences

Initially learning about Top Hat through a colleague, Tim was impressed by its potential for interactivity and attendance tracking in large classes. Tim then had the chance to develop a new in-person class: CED 102N – Wicked Problems Like Inequality, Sustainability & Climate Change: What’s the Right Thing to Do? The class, designed to help students develop skills to understand and analyze complex issues, faced the challenge of engaging a large group of students effectively. The primary goal was to enhance student participation and interaction in a large classroom setting. So, Tim turned to Top Hat to make that goal a reality.

Top Hat Implementation 

Interactive Participation: Tim presents learning materials using the presentation feature in Top Hat. In addition, the class heavily utilizes Top Hat for in-class activities, making 20% of the student’s grades dependent on participation. By leveraging Top Hat’s interactive features, such as the discussion tool and poll questions, Tim facilitates dynamic group discussions, fostering a more engaging learning environment.

Diverse Question Formats:

In the classroom, Tim utilizes Top Hat to create a variety of question formats to encourage active participation and reflection. Specific examples include:

• Warm-Up Questions: Tim begins each class with engaging, often random questions such as “What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve done?” or “Is a hot dog a sandwich?”. These questions serve as ice-breakers, sparking curiosity and easing students into the class environment.
• Wrap-Up Questions: At the end of each class, reflective questions are posed, like “What did you learn today that reinforced what you already knew?”, “What was a new concept you’re leaving with today?” and “What else can I do to help you succeed in this course?”. These questions encourage students to think critically about the day’s lessons and provide the instructor with valuable feedback on the teaching approach.

Impact and Outcomes 

The use of Top Hat results in increased student interaction and involvement in the class discussions. Even though this is a new class, Tim observes an improvement in the overall effectiveness of the teaching and learning experience in the large class setting.  

Best Practices 

Strategic Integration of Top Hat: Tim recommends that when designing or revising a class, always center around integrating the tool purposefully into the course design. Tim emphasizes the importance of using Top Hat not just as an add-on but as an integral part of the course structure. This approach helps in ensuring that the use of Top Hat aligns with the educational objectives and enhances the overall teaching and learning experience.