In response to the third question about what pieces of the
4MAT model stood out in terms of fostering student learning,
an emergent theme was how faculty encountered challenges
in learning to teach differently (particularly with the Connect
activities). These challenges were seen as worthwhile in
terms of how these established “hooks” positively influenced
student learning. Faculty analogized the Connect activity to
an “anchor” to which students were connected to learning.
It also helped linear learners see where they were going
because it forced instructors to be clearer about the learning
goals. The refining and extending pieces of the 4MAT
model were also expressed by faculty as being challenging
to plan and implement; however, the activities associated
with these appeared to facilitate students’ ownership of their
work. Another theme that emerged from data highlighted
the importance of recognizing, appreciating, and responding
appropriately to behaviors influenced by diverse student
learning styles.