In this year’s Convocation, Dr. Neil J. Anderson, TESOL professor, articulated increasing metacognitive engagement through the BYU-Hawaii Framework for Learning and Teaching, or in his own words, “thinking about thinking.”
The Convocation was held in the McKay Auditorium on Sept. 27 and enjoyed a full house. Convocation, as explained by Dr. John Bell, vice president of Academics, is an annual tradition to celebrate scholarship, life, and mind. Bell conducted the presentation, and the program began with a musical number from Dr. Scott McCarrey and Stacy McCarrey. They performed “Fêtes from Nocturnes” by Claude Debussy, and then Bell introduced Anderson.
Anderson stated each academic discipline has so much knowledge that each student needs to learn to become professional. His approach was to change students’ and teachers’ perspective about learning and teaching. He encouraged instructors to have students identify what’s working and what they are doing outside class for increased engagement during class.
From the BYUH Learning Framework, Anderson presented his strategy of preparing, engaging, and improving. This helps his students’ effectiveness in school, he said. Anderson also urged professors to teach in a way for students to be engaged rather than sit obediently in a lecture. He also pressed professors to set clearly articulated purposes of what they want students to do when they leave class.
Another approach Anderson presented, was how he shows students his three, two, one method. He tells his students to think of three things they learned in class, have them think of two questions, and to remember one thing from each class session.
Learning from Anderson, Dianne Lucillo, a junior from the Philippines studying TESOL, said, “I liked what Dr. Anderson said about the framework. It’s really interesting because in my education classes, we talk about what teachers do to help their students. Brother Anderson just said exactly what teachers should do. They should prepare to help students be more engaged. Sometimes teaching the content is not learning the content. This was really an eye opener for everyone.”
Connecting the gospel with studies, Lucillo said, “The three things he showed us: prepare, engage, and improve were elaborated on more. He was able to connect it to the gospel, and I really enjoyed that. This convocation was a boost for me.”
Having an uplifting experience, Sister Farnsworth, a senior missionary from Utah, said, “It’s just amazing. I think it’s a tremendous idea to have a discussion of ideas about the mind. I think it was an interesting and scholarly talk. Obviously, he practices what he teaches.”
Sister Farnsworth said she learned a more engaging approach to teaching. She said, “I think it’s an interesting idea to think about what you’re thinking about. I’ll try to look at my thoughts more–try to encourage more participation and not lecturing. “
Feeling the spirit tell him to be grateful for his education, Sho Sasaki, a senior from Japan studying human resources, said, “It was good. I didn’t know what to expect, but I just went there. I loved the talk from Brother Anderson. It reminded me of the importance of BYU-Hawaii’s mission and framework. One thing I learned from this event is gratitude to be able to study at BYUH. I’m grateful to receive the education I get from Hawaii. That’s what I felt from listening to the talk.”
Writer: Bruno Maynez