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What strategies help students move beyond surface learning?

How do we support curiosity, problem-solving, or reflection?

What kind of tasks or questions promote deeper thinking?

Perplexity.ai Prompt:

“What teaching practices help promote deeper thinking, curiosity, and cognitive engagement in higher education? What types of questions or tasks are most effective for moving beyond surface learning?”

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How can we invite participation in ways that feel safe and inclusive?

What alternative formats (polls, chat, written response) have worked?

How do we reduce fear of being wrong or judged?

Perplexity.ai Prompt:

“What are effective ways to encourage class participation in higher education while reducing anxiety or fear of judgment? What does research suggest about creating safe, inclusive discussion environments?”

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Instructional Strategies

Active Learning Techniques: Incorporating active learning methods, such as group activities, problem-solving tasks, and interactive discussions, can help students with ADHD stay engaged. These methods also promote self-advocacy among students with disabilities when implemented effectively4.

Flipped Classroom Model: This approach allows students to engage with course material at their own pace before class and focus on interactive activities during class time. It has been shown to improve behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement1.

Clear Rules and Structured Time Management: Establishing clear expectations and structured schedules helps students with ADHD stay organized and reduces anxiety related to classroom activities2.

Environmental Adjustments

Optimizing Physical Classroom Conditions: Sustainable classroom designs that control air quality, lighting, temperature, and noise levels can significantly enhance student concentration and performance3.

Minimizing Distractions: Professors can arrange seating to reduce exposure to external distractions and ensure the classroom environment is conducive to focused learning.

Supportive Measures

Individualized Support: Providing additional tutoring or one-on-one assistance can address specific challenges faced by students with ADHD2.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Implementing UDL principles ensures that teaching methods are inclusive, offering multiple ways for students to access content and demonstrate learning4.

Engagement Tools

Use of Background Music: Studies suggest that background music may positively influence executive functioning in children with ADHD. While this is still being explored, it could be adapted for university settings6.

Technology Integration: Tools like real-time monitoring of environmental variables through IoT devices can help professors adjust classroom conditions dynamically to enhance focus3.

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework aimed at optimizing teaching and learning for all students by addressing diverse needs and preferences. Developed by David Rose and Anne Meyer at the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST), UDL focuses on creating inclusive learning environments that reduce barriers to education.

Core Principles of UDL

UDL is built on three main principles:

1. Multiple Means of Representation: Presenting information in various ways to accommodate different learning styles. This could include visual aids, auditory materials, and hands-on activities.

2. Multiple Means of Action and Expression: Allowing students to demonstrate their knowledge in different formats, such as written assignments, oral presentations, or creative projects.

3. Multiple Means of Engagement: Offering diverse ways to motivate students, such as interactive activities, self-paced learning, or collaborative tasks.

Key Features

Proactive Design: UDL anticipates the needs of all learners rather than retroactively accommodating individual disabilities.

Flexibility: It provides options for how students access content, engage with material, and express their understanding.

Inclusivity: UDL benefits not only students with disabilities but also those from varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Applications in Higher Education

In tertiary education, UDL can be integrated into course planning to ensure accessibility without requiring students to disclose disabilities. This approach fosters equity, enabling all learners to succeed without needing separate accommodations2 3. It has been increasingly adopted in higher education due to its ability to improve engagement and academic outcomes across diverse student populations3.

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Improving Classroom Engagement for Students with ADHD

Engaging students with ADHD in the classroom starts with creating an inclusive and supportive environment tailored to their unique learning needs. Since ADHD can impact focus, time management, and impulse control, educators can boost engagement by adopting a few key strategies:

- Organize the Physical Space: Reduce distractions with a clean, clutter-free layout. Seat students away from high-traffic areas and offer flexible seating or designated movement zones to help manage restlessness.

- Use Multi-Sensory Teaching: Incorporate visual, auditory, and hands-on activities to keep students actively involved. Breaking lessons into short, varied segments helps maintain attention and boosts participation.

- Provide Clear Instructions & Structure: Give step-by-step directions and repeat key information. Using visual aids, checklists, and timers can support focus and help students stay on task.

- Offer Frequent Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate small achievements and give immediate, constructive feedback. Positive attention motivates students and encourages continued effort.

- Encourage Movement & Interaction: Build in short breaks and incorporate physical activity into lessons—whether it’s writing on the board, group work, or educational games.

- Foster Social and Emotional Support: Create a classroom culture that values patience, empathy, and inclusion. When students feel accepted and understood, they're more likely to engage fully.

At Stemly Tutoring, we help students with ADHD stay focused and confident through personalized, one-on-one support. Our tailored approach ensures each student gets the tools they need to succeed—academically, socially, and emotionally.

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Clear expectations from the beginning

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Add resource

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What is?

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https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-are-effective-ways-to-enc-s1fJTC2RQs.DjveoHPK3eg

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Effective Ways to Encourage Class Participation Wh

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Your last mistake is your best teacher!

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Flexibility in how we allow students to express themselves

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Flexibility in how we allow students to express themselves

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Promoting Deeper Thinking and Cognitive Engagement

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How do we recognize students who are engaged but not visibly participating?

What strategies help validate different forms of engagement?

How do we encourage quiet students without putting them on the spot?

Perplexity.ai Prompt:

“What does current research say about supporting quiet, shy, or introverted students in higher education? What inclusive participation strategies can help engage them without pressure?”

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How do student-teacher relationships influence engagement?

What habits or rituals help build trust and connection?

How can we humanize the classroom experience?

Perplexity.ai Prompt:

“Why are student-teacher relationships important for engagement and learning in university settings? What research-based strategies help build connection and trust in the classroom?”

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What causes students to lose focus in class?

What learning activities help sustain attention?

How can we support students with attention or sensory challenges?

Perplexity.ai Prompt:

“How can university teachers support student focus and attention during class, especially in environments with distractions or for students with ADHD or sensory sensitivity?”

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What motivates your students to engage?

How can we adapt content or methods to make learning more relevant?

How can we find out what our students care about?

Perplexity.ai Prompt:

“What strategies does research recommend for personalizing learning and increasing student motivation in university classrooms? How can instructors connect course content to students’ interests and goals?”