In my Invertebrate Biology course, students are required to develop an independent research project for which the must generate an experimental design, collect all the data, run a statistical analysis, write a paper and present their results. Students give seminars and present posters in an afternoon session. I also have my students write extensively. Papers for laboratories are written as if for publication in a scientific journal, reviewed and returned for their corrections and a final draft. This, together with the essay exams I administer, makes it incumbent upon students to know the material and to communicate it effectively.
Students can be an excellent source of pedagogical inspiration.
Consequently, I am always available outside of class. This is a responsibility that I take very seriously. While teaching at Notre Dame and now at Juniata, I hold small discussion groups for interested students. These sessions are invaluable to me as an instructor. I gain insight into how students are doing, how they are thinking about the material and how well I am getting across important concepts.