I’ve been reading The Handbook of University Pedagogy as part of a course I’m taking. Most of the articles deal with abstract learning theories and the constructive alignment of instruction, both of which are interesting issues to reflect on with regard to your own teaching. Unlike the typical academic approach toward education, heavy on statistics and theory, the handbook also addresses some practical applications. The book includes lists of ways to make lectures more active, such as reflections, chats, debates, group work and writing tasks. Most of the methods are well known, but I picked up one fresh idea: the motivation line. This is a physical line or continuum: students place themselves along a line, with enthusiastic and motivated individuals toward one end and those less so toward the other. The learning atmosphere becomes visible, and leads naturally to discussion of important issues of motivation. I plan to try the motivation line in my next course.