How Wooclap helps a Duke professor keep students engaged 

In the second episode of our Duke University interviews, we talked to teacher and learning expert Colin Yuckman. Colin is Senior Director of Digital Learning Formation and Administrative Faculty at Duke Divinity School. He shares his insights on using technology and Wooclap to foster student engagement and enhance the educational experience.

Colin Yuckman's journey in adopting technology in the classroom

Colin Yuckman has played a pivotal role at Duke Divinity School, where he oversees the administration of hybrid programs and teaches several online courses each year. His focus extends beyond merely teaching content; it involves implementing best practices in digital learning and sharing them with his colleagues.

When asked about his experience with Wooclap, Yuckman describes it as a versatile tool that goes beyond traditional polling software.

Yuckman first began using Wooclap to enhance active learning in both online and in-person settings. He found the platform particularly effective for live polling, anonymous information gathering, and crowdsourcing ideas from students, whether in an online space or a physical classroom.

Wooclap as an assistant to foster engagement and inclusivity

One of the primary benefits Yuckman highlights is the platform's ability to increase inclusivity, as it allows all students, regardless of their comfort level in speaking out, to contribute their thoughts and insights.

Yuckman also points out the benefits of using Wooclap in various educational settings beyond the traditional classroom. He mentions utilizing it during orientation sessions with faculty panels, where the tool allowed students to submit questions anonymously and enabled the faculty to moderate and group similar questions. This not only ensured a more organized and effective Q&A session but also increased participation by providing a comfortable avenue for all students to engage.

Using Wooclap for "low-stakes assessments"

Yuckman shares specific examples of how Wooclap has been integrated into his teaching practices. 

In one instance, he used a self-paced quiz at the beginning of a class to gauge the students' pre-existing knowledge on a topic. Instead of handing out papers, students accessed the quiz through a QR code, allowing for a quick and seamless assessment. The results were then displayed to the entire class, fostering a collective learning experience and sparking discussion. 

He emphasizes the value of these "low-stakes assessments", which help maintain student engagement, particularly in online environments where distractions are prevalent.

Differences between in-person, online and blended uses

Yuckman has noticed some differences in how Wooclap is used in in-person versus online settings. In person, the platform helps create a collaborative dynamic alongside body language and facial cues.

Online, however, Wooclap plays a more critical role in keeping students engaged, given the lack of physical presence and the higher potential for distractions.

He also spoke about using Wooclap in blended courses, where he introduces it during the in-person phase so that students are familiar with it by the time the course transitions online. This strategy helps maintain consistency and engagement throughout the course duration.

Colin's favorite features

When asked about his favorite features on Wooclap, Yuckman mentioned the "Find on Image" question, which is a strong suit compared to other polling tools.

He uses this creatively to engage students in identifying their "state of mind" on a page filled with different images or symbols. He also frequently uses polls, rankings, and MCQs which align with his learning objectives for specific class sessions.

Yuckman finds these features particularly useful for breaking up class sections and maintaining high levels of engagement. 

"Well-timed polls break up sections of teaching and reinforce student engagement so they don’t think, ‘Oh, I can sort of check out because the instructor’s speaking’"

Colin's advice for educators new to Wooclap

For educators considering adopting Wooclap or similar technologies, Yuckman advises patience and openness to learning. “Being patient is important, learning the technology using dry runs, test runs…" he suggested. 

Yuckman himself has been actively involved in helping other educators learn to use Wooclap effectively. He believes that having someone guide you through the platform can significantly enhance the learning process and help educators quickly become comfortable with the tool.

Looking ahead: the role of technology in education

Reflecting on the future of technology in education, Yuckman is optimistic yet cautious. He recognizes that while technology evolves rapidly, not all tools have a lasting impact. “It’s difficult to know what is sort of a flash in the pan and what will stay long term,” he said. 

Yuckman believes that the key to successful technology integration lies in finding tools that are both effective and user-friendly. For him, Wooclap fits this “Goldilocks zone,” offering robust functionality without overwhelming complexity.

With this testimony, we see that by integrating technology thoughtfully and strategically, educators can create more dynamic and interactive learning experiences that cater to the diverse needs of their students, in today's varied teaching settings.