Enhancing Student Engagement in Spanish Language Courses

Raquel Lodeiro

Assistant Teaching Professor of Spanish

Humanities Department

Penn State Harrisburg

Raquel is a Spanish faculty who values inclusivity and engagement in her class. She has been using Top Hat since 2021 to increase student participation and engagement in her Spanish courses. Raquel teaches both elementary and intermediate Spanish classes, as well as first-year seminars on Hispanic literatures and cultures.

Top Hat Implementation 

Interactive Discussions: Raquel integrates her lecture materials into Top Hat, using presentation and discussion questions, to make her classes more interactive. She uses features like anonymous discussion prompts to facilitate student engagement and deepen students’ understanding of course materials. This approach has proven particularly useful in discussing sensitive topics such as politics, religion, and gender roles. Raquel believes anonymity encourages open participation with students.

Inclusivity and Equity: To foster a more inclusive classroom environment, Raquel uses Top Hat to pose anonymous questions on sensitive topics. This method allows students to express their views without fear of judgment, also promoting a richer and more diverse classroom discussion. For example, when discussing gender roles in Hispanic culture, students can freely share their thoughts on traditionally defined roles without revealing their identities.

Impact and Outcomes 

Raquel has found Top Hat to be an invaluable tool in her teaching, for both in-person and online synchronous classes. The anonymity feature has been particularly beneficial in encouraging student participation on controversial or sensitive topics. Students have reported feeling more comfortable sharing their thoughts, leading to more meaningful and inclusive classroom discussions. 

Best Practices 

Gradual Introduction and Adaptation: Raquel recommends starting with a few basic features in Top Hat and gradually incorporating more complex ones as both instructors and students become more comfortable with the platform. She emphasizes the importance of practice and being transparent with students about the learning process of new technology. She encourages faculty to keep exploring the various features available in Top Hat and to use it as a means to enhance student engagement and interaction. 

Additional Tips 

Raquel suggests that faculty who are new to Top Hat should take advantage of the anonymity feature to foster open and honest communication among students. This can be particularly effective in discussions on sensitive topics. She also highlights the importance of setting a tone of inclusivity and respect in the classroom, which Top Hat can help facilitate through its anonymous and interactive features.