Student-faculty contact is an important part of learning, and has been connected to increased student motivation, learning, and persistence. But faculty sometimes struggle to get students to attend office hours. Nick Tooker, Professor of Practice, Civil & Environmental Engineering, has found success by offering “Student Hours” that encourage peer-to-peer collaboration and community-building in a neutral location.
What motivated you to create a different approach to office hours?
I was originally motivated by wanting to be outside/socially distanced, while maintaining the ability to interact with students when we were returning to campus in 2021. This turned out to have other benefits including peer-to-peer collaboration, community building, and it provided a more welcoming space for students who might otherwise be reluctant or intimidated to attend more conventional office hours.
What is your approach?
I host Student Hours in a common space that features plenty of tables, chairs, and other students who are studying. At the beginning of my course, particularly for first year students, I will be sure to emphasize the importance of Student Hours. Many of my students were high achieving in high school and they may feel like they don’t need extra help, so I will encourage them to attend Student Hours as a structured time to work on their assignments (either for my class or for other classes). I often designate a specific session to work on a specific assignment and advertise it that way to my classes. I also bring plenty of snacks to share. My teaching approach is centered around helping students connect with one another. If I see a student who is shy and reserved who is working on the same homework problem as another student, I will try to connect them so they can collaborate. I encourage students to work together during Student Hours, and if I know of a specific person who has already solved a problem, I will suggest that they try to explain it to another student who is struggling.
What has been the impact of this strategy on student learning?
Before implementing the approach of "student hours" I found that very few students would attend office hours. Based on my experience, students who regularly attend Student Hours tend to be better connected with their classmates, though I don't have evidence that there is a correlation between good grades and attendance at student hours. I've found that many students will use the time to work on their homework assignments (sometimes for other courses too), and to collaborate with their peers. No topics are off limits during Student Hours, and I frequently will get former students who come to get advice about careers, internships, or research opportunities.
What considerations or tips do you have for other faculty interested in offering collaborative student hours?
Be sure to host the student hours in a neutral location where you can sit at a table with the students. Having a white board or chalkboard can also be helpful. I also try to schedule specific sessions for specific assignments (e.g., on Wednesday, we will work on Homework #2). If you can find another faculty member who is willing to have their student hours at the same time as yours, it can create additional synergies. For example, I host one hour per week for the first year students I teach that is at the same time as a faculty member who teaches a sophomore level course. If my first year students have questions about what it is like as they progress through the curriculum, I can direct them to the more senior students. I've found that this has an added benefit of helping transfer students find study partners more effectively. Bringing snacks also helps!
