The struggle to keep students engaged during lectures only grows, with attention competing against devices, social media, and rapidly evolving listening and learning habits. But Teaching Professor Hussna Azamy has a hack.
Azamy recently published an article in Harvard Business Impact introducing a technique she uses called AI-Assisted Flash Debates—a quick, structured activity that gets students talking, thinking, and applying concepts within minutes. She explains how any instructor can easily transform their classroom with this simple but ingenious strategy, using AI prompts to spark curiosity and deepen learning through debate and roleplay.
Azamy also launched a new teaching blog where she shares practical, ready-to-use active learning approaches. With expertise in discrete mathematics and information security, she brings a rare blend of technical rigor and pedagogical creativity, all aimed at making her classes not only informative but genuinely fun.
“I see my classroom as the perfect experimental space where I can try out new ways to get students thinking—really thinking,” said Azamy. “Flash Debates help them connect ideas, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another.”
Her work offers a reminder that even small shifts in classroom practice can lead to big gains in student engagement—and that great teaching is often about experimentation, curiosity, and fun.