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§4. Integrating Assignments into the Classroom
Typically we think that written assignments should be carried out entirely “outside” of
class. Subsequently, many students do not grasp the relationship between what they did in class
and what they are finally graded on. Consistent with Halpern and Hakel’s findings, Fink shows
that lecturing alone does not help students retain information, develop students’ abilities to
transfer knowledge and skills to a novel situation, develop problem-solving skills, or achieve
affective outcomes, like interest in life-long learning or a change in attitude (Fink 3). Moreover,
Bean (1996) argues that using problems as a core analytical tool is one of the most effective
ways to encourage learning and reveal disciplinary ways of thinking. He suggests that problems
should serve as the basis of formal written assignments, be used as “thought-provokers” in
informal exploratory writing or as starters for class discussions, be presented as tasks for small
group work, and be the organizing theme around which lecturing revolves. The same solution
lies at the heart of each of these arguments: effective teaching involves integrating our revised
model of assignments into the classroom. More fully integrating writing into the classroom
makes disciplinary conventions more visible and helps students to bridge the gap between paper
assignments and classroom lecture/discussion. The remainder of this paper briefly reviews a
variety of strategies designed to achieve this integration.
Give students time in class to collect their thoughts and review their notes. One to three
minutes is plenty of time. You can also be more directive by asking students to perform a more
specific task during this time: find evidence to support a theory; outline a methodology; or write
objections to an argument. This is a great strategy not only for starting and encouraging
discussion, but also for practicing the skills that you will require of your students on their formal
assignments. And you should tell them so as you prompt them on the task!
Convention