Keeping students engaged has massive benefits. Research shows that ‘active learning’ in the classroom increases students’ learning, college retention, and overall performance. Active learning is also particularly beneficial for underrepresented students.

UC Davis’ increasingly diverse student population has accordingly diverse needs. Diverse groups have more robust problem-solving capabilities, and classrooms that foster success broadly and inclusively ultimately improve learning for all students, and benefit instructors as well.

Many instructors seek to offer opportunities for hands-on, ‘minds-on,’  experiential learning to their students.

Difficult conversations can yield the best teaching moments but only if these happen in a supportive and caring space.