Wrapping Up the Semester

In December, we often find more seasonal tasks on our to-do lists – perhaps decorating our homes inside and out, gathering ingredients for holiday recipes, or replenishing our stash of wrapping paper and ribbons. No matter our family traditions, we at the University of Baltimore find ourselves engaged in a different kind of wrapping: bringing our semester to a close. This period, much like carefully wrapping a thoughtful gift, involves a meticulous and heartfelt approach to ensure our students conclude their semester’s journey successfully. Consider the strategies below as we gather the contents of our courses together into one complete package:

• In line with the holiday spirit of reflection and connection, consider an end-of-course survey strategy inspired by Katie Morales and Cindy Johnson’s article for the Scholarly Teacher. This approach allows us to collect valuable feedback, much like adding a final bow to the package, ensuring that we understand our students’ experiences and perceptions of the semester.
• Interactive review sessions can act as ribbons that tie together the semester’s content, allowing students to untangle complex ideas and reaffirm their understanding. Complementing these sessions, offer study guides – neatly packaged summaries that helped students unwrap the core concepts with ease.
• Office hours can serve as a time to offer personalized messages of support and guidance, addressing unique concerns each student presented. Meanwhile, peer study groups reflect the collaborative joy of holiday preparations, where students can come together to share and learn from each other.
• The use of technology tools add a sparkle, much like ornaments on a holiday tree, making the revision process engaging and interactive. This approach resonates with our commitment to integrating innovative teaching methods.

Wrapping up the semester at the University of Baltimore is more than a concluding act; it’s a celebration of learning. Just as we wrap gifts with care and anticipation, we wrap up our semester with the same enthusiasm, eagerly awaiting the unwrapping of new opportunities and successes for our students in the coming year.