Leveling the Playing Field: the Power of Pre-class Structure in Inclusive Education

Many students enter UNLV without prior instruction on effective learning strategies or class preparation, and their limited classroom contact hours further hinder the development of essential study and self-regulation skills. This challenge is particularly pronounced among students from underrepresented and underserved communities. To address this, I created structured pre-class activities designed to equip students with effective study habits and learning strategies that support their success both in and out of the classroom. Before each class session, students complete a “Pre-Class Guided Practice” handout, which includes an overview of the new material, clearly defined learning objectives, a QR code linking to short instructional YouTube videos I have created, targeted practice problems, and a reminder to complete a low-stakes pre-class Canvas quiz. These pre-class activities foster independent learning and skill development, allowing valuable class time to be dedicated to higher-level activities and more meaningful hands-on engagement rather than passive content delivery.