Overview Teaching Large Classes PDF

Certificate in University Teaching Part 2 – Pillars Overview – Teaching Large Classes Copilot prompt: Hello Copilot, please provide a two-pager guide to university professors on how to teach large classes. This guide should include as much content from Canadian sources (Universi...

Certificate in University Teaching Part 2 – Pillars Overview – Teaching Large Classes Copilot prompt: Hello Copilot, please provide a two-pager guide to university professors on how to teach large classes. This guide should include as much content from Canadian sources (Universities for example) as possible, and at least three to five teaching strategies (explained in one paragraph each) for each challenge faced (for each challenge, please provide details to the amount of two to three sentences). Please provide a list of between 5 and 10 websites from Canadian Universities. Show the website address or source beside each website. Thank you! Content generated and adapted: Guide to Teaching Large Classes I-Introduction Teaching large classes presents unique challenges, but with the right strategies, it can also be a rewarding experience. This guide provides practical advice and strategies from Canadian universities to help you manage and engage large classes effectively. II-Challenges and Strategies 1. Promoting Student Engagement Challenge: Students in large classes often feel disengaged and alienated, which can lead to a lack of participation and responsibility. Strategies: 1. Interactive Lectures: Incorporate questions throughout your lecture to maintain student interest and gauge understanding. Plan key questions in advance and vary their complexity to stimulate critical thinking1. Use online polling tools (e.g. Wooclap) to monitor engagement and understanding. 2. Group Work: Use small group discussions or projects to foster collaboration and deeper understanding. This can help students feel more connected and engaged with the material2. Tools are available to prevent or mitigate potential tensions between group members. 3. Technology Integration: Utilize online polling tools (e.g. Wooclap) or digital whiteboard (e.g. Muro, Mural or Padlet) or collaborative online tools (e.g. Google docs) to make lectures interactive and gather instant feedback from students2. … Teaching and Learning Support Service – University of Ottawa 1  2. Managing Logistical Issues Challenge: The administrative tasks of managing a large class can be overwhelming, from grading to handling student inquiries. Strategies: 1. Teaching Assistants (TAs): Leverage TAs to help with grading, leading discussion sections, and managing administrative tasks. This can significantly reduce your workload and provide students with more support2. Tools are available to optimize TAs work and your working relationship with them. 2. Clear Communication: Establish clear guidelines and expectations for assignments, exams, and class participation. Use a course website or learning management system to keep all information organized and accessible2. 3. Efficient Grading: Use rubrics and automated grading tools to streamline the grading process. This ensures consistency and saves time2. 3. Dealing with Academic Offences Challenge: Large classes can increase the likelihood of academic dishonesty due to the perceived anonymity among students. Strategies: 1. Honor Codes: Implement and emphasize an honor code at the beginning of the course. Discuss the importance of academic integrity and the consequences of dishonesty2. 2. Varied Assessments: Use a mix of assessment types (e.g., quizzes, essays, group projects) to reduce opportunities for cheating. This also allows students to demonstrate their understanding in different ways2. 3. Proctoring Tools: Utilize online proctoring tools for exams to monitor and prevent cheating. This can be particularly useful for large classes where in-person monitoring is challenging2. 4. Enhancing Student-Teacher Interaction Challenge: Building a personal connection with students in a large class can be difficult, leading to a lack of rapport and communication. Strategies: 1. Office Hours: Offer regular office hours and encourage students to attend. Consider virtual office hours to accommodate more students and provide flexibility2. 2. Personalized Feedback: Provide personalized feedback on assignments and exams to show students that you are invested in their learning2. 3. Student Surveys: Conduct mid-semester surveys to gather feedback on the course and make adjustments as needed. This shows students that their opinions are valued and can improve the learning experience2. Teaching and Learning Support Service – University of Ottawa 2  5. Integrating Technology Challenge: Effectively integrating technology into large classes can be challenging but is essential for modern teaching. Strategies: 1. Learning Management Systems (LMS): Use an LMS to organize course materials, communicate with students, and manage assignments. This centralizes all course-related activities and makes it easier for students to stay on track2. 2. Multimedia Resources: Incorporate videos, podcasts, and other multimedia resources to enhance lectures and provide diverse learning materials2. 3. Online Discussion Forums: Create online discussion forums to facilitate student interaction and engagement outside of class. This can help build a sense of community and provide additional support2. Sources: 2: Western University - Teaching Large Classes 1: University of Waterloo - Activities for Large Classes” Online Resources 1. Western University - Teaching Support Centre: Teaching Large Classes; 2. University of Waterloo - Centre for Teaching Excellence: Activities for Large Classes; 3. McGill University - Teaching and Learning Services: Thinking Outside the Zoom Box with Large Class Teaching Exchange; 4. University of Toronto - Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation: Considerations for Large Courses; 5. Toronto Metropolitan University - Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching: Large Class Survival Guide; 6. Queen’s University - Centre for Teaching and Learning: Instructional Strategies; 7. University of Manitoba – The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning: Teaching Large Classes; 8. University of Alberta - Centre for Teaching and Learning: Active Learning Ideas for Large Classes (Youtube Video); 9. Teaching in Higher Education – Podcasts: Motivating students in large classes (42 min.); Engaging learners in large classes (30 min); 10. Cornell University - Center for Teaching Innovation: Large Classes: Teaching Tips; 11. University of Oxford – Centre for Teaching and Learning: Encouraging active learning in large class teaching; IV-Conclusion Teaching large classes can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can create an engaging and effective learning environment. By promoting student engagement, managing logistical issues, addressing academic offences, enhancing student-teacher interaction, and integrating technology, you can overcome the challenges and make a positive impact on your students’ learning experience. Teaching and Learning Support Service – University of Ottawa 3