Friday, August 13, 2021

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

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Presenter(s)

Presenter: Helen Wang

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Description

The COVID-19 pandemic forced schools around the world to move online in 2020, including my home institution University at Buffalo. Months into online learning, many students started to suffer from either social disconnection in asynchronous settings or Zoom fatigue in synchronous settings. How can we effectively include our students online to feel meaningfully connected yet not overwhelmed by long lectures and presentations? Liberating Structures (LS) are simple, concrete tools that can be used to organize learning activities and facilitate transformative learning experiences in ways that include and engage all students. Each LS specifies five interrelated structural elements:(a) The structuring invitation to focus attention, (b) spatial arrangement that allows participants to stand, move freely and be face-to-face, (c) participation distribution to ensure everyone participates at once and equally, (d) group configuration to ensure one works with pairs, quartets and whole group, and (e) the sequence of steps and time allocation for effectively executing the above. Detailed instructions and examples are available on LiberatingStructures.com. In Fall 2020 was, I was able to adapt LS through weekly synchronous Zoom meetings to create an inclusive and interactive online learning experience. Examples of adapted LS are: 1-2-4-ALL, Drawing Together, Celebrity Interview, and Critical Uncertainties.