A Method for Enhancing Student Interest in Large Introductory Classes

Abstract

A common problem for teachers of large sections of introductory psychology is developing high levels of student interest in course content. In this article, we describe a method for creating and maintaining such interest involving students' written responses to a single question: “What one thing in your life, if you could change it today, would have the most immediate and profound positive impact in your life?” Students' responses to this question can be analyzed according to response category and incorporated into classroom discussions of many psychological principles. Infusing student responses into classroom discussions increases student awareness of important issues in the lives of their classmates, increases their knowledge of how psychological principles and theory apply to these issues, and enhances student interest in the course.