Student Engagement to Initiate Instruction

Abstract

This research investigates student engagement through four assignments designed to manage classroom behavior by stimulating classroom discussion. Three assignments, “Commercial Break”, “Google Trends”, and “What’s Viral”, were deployed in undergraduate marketing classes, while “Global Minute Chat” was utilized in an international business course. Students select topics of interest, preparing short presentations for class. These assignments are formative assessments that serve as icebreakers, setting the tone and transitioning into daily topic discussion. The assignments foster public speaking skills and provoke discussion. Faculty connect presentations to course theory, deepening engagement. Survey results from four courses show positive student impressions, value, aid in learning, and the confirmation these assignments should be used in future courses.