Transforming Student Engagement with Bongo in MindTap

After decades as a traditional educator, the shift toward interactive tools has significantly transformed my teaching approach. In recent years, I’ve embraced methods that not only integrate technology but prioritize student engagement and emotional well-being in the classroom.

Creating Equal Opportunities for All Learners

My objective has always been to empower students by providing them with effective resources. Grounded in data and science, I’ve piloted various educational tools to find the right fit. While no singular solution stands out as perfect, combining multiple tools often leads to meaningful outcomes. Recently, I introduced Bongo in MindTap, a platform that has profoundly improved both my teaching and my students’ learning experiences.

Fueling Engagement Through Connections

Andrew Bauld, in his piece “My Get Up and Go Got Up and Went,” emphasizes the importance of recognizing students' emotional needs alongside their academic progress. Bongo serves to bridge that gap, offering an engaging and interactive learning environment that promotes the learning process over the final product.

An Overview of Bongo

With Bongo, I can develop engaging assignments that encourages active participation. This tool transforms lessons across various disciplines, whether they’re conducted online, in-person, or through a hybrid model. Now, students can actively engage with their lessons—seeing and hearing me during sessions, and interacting with peers through video feedback and written exchanges.

Expanding Interactive Learning Opportunities

General education skills—such as reading, writing, critical thinking, and communication—can be daunting for many learners. Some students are hesitant to show vulnerability, leading to disengagement or even academic dishonesty. Bongo addresses this by cultivating an encouraging space for practice and skill development. Through this platform, I’ve seen my students embrace the learning process with enthusiasm, supported by various activities including:

• Practicing reading and writing
• Enhancing speaking and listening skills
• Engaging in real-world scenarios
• Interacting with video lessons
• Presenting their work
• Brainstorming collaboratively
• Participating in group discussions
• Completing comprehension exercises

This approach has reinvigorated my classroom dynamics; for the first time in my teaching career, students are requesting more opportunities to learn through Bongo’s interactive tools.

Encouraging Authentic Learning

In earlier teaching experiences, I noted a tendency among students to rely on AI tools rather than using them to enhance their learning. However, with Bongo integrated into my courses, students have shown increased integrity in their academic work. Utilizing features like Turnitin, students receive constructive feedback tailored to specific learning outcomes, enabling them to revise and improve their submissions without fear of penalty.

Moreover, my students have learned to interpret their Turnitin reports not as obstacles, but as learning opportunities. This metacognitive approach helps them assess their writing more critically, allowing even those who were initially disengaged to become vibrant participants in the classroom setting. The tools available through Bongo and MindTap create a nurturing environment that encourages their growth in critical thinking and language skills.

A Bright Future for Teaching and Learning

Bongo in MindTap has been a transformative addition to my teaching strategy, bringing energy back into the learning experience. It not only rehumanizes education for both myself and my students but also fosters an atmosphere ripe for authentic engagement. I believe that other educators will find similar benefits by integrating such tools into their teaching practices.

Which assignments would most benefit from incorporating Bongo's audio-video features or AI Coaching feedback? Let's discuss your thoughts! Connect with me!

Written by Faye Pelosi, Professor in the Communications Department at Palm Beach State College and Cengage Faculty Partner.

Curious about how Professor Pelosi utilizes Turnitin in her MindTap courses? Check out her insights in “Using MindTap for English to Help Monitor Students’ Use of AI” for practical suggestions and demonstrations.

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