The Centre for Teaching and Learning for a workshop on Teaching Large Classrooms on Wednesday March 12, 2:00-4:00, LY 610 (6th floor, Archer Library)
Workshop: Teaching Large Classrooms
The Centre for Teaching and Learning for a workshop on Teaching Large Classrooms on Wednesday March 12, 2:00-4:00, LY 610 (6th floor, Archer Library). To RSVP, please see http://www.uregina.ca/ctl/events/2014/03/Teaching-Large-Classrooms.html
Join Stephen Cheng and Harold Weger to discuss the challenges and rewards of teaching large classes.
Many first year classes have a hundred or more students. Teaching these large classes with students fresh from high schools can be very challenging. Many of these students are still in transition from high school and they lack the learning skills for university level courses. For some students, they find large classes intimidating and impersonal. However, these classes provide the foundation for a successful university career. As a result, overcoming the challenges of teaching large classes will greatly reward instructors and students.
There is no one-size-fits-all strategy for teaching large classes because every discipline is unique and every instructor has his/her own strength. Having said that, many tricks of teaching large classes are universal. In this interactive workshop, you will experience the challenges and rewards of delivering effective and engaging lectures to large classes.
Stephen Cheng is a lecturer in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. He has taught many large classes with up to 294 students. In addition to teaching chemistry, Stephen supervises the supplemental instruction (SI) program for the Faculty of Science. SI offers structured study sessions for large first year science courses to help students succeed in their university careers.
Harold Weger is an associate professor in the Biology Dept. His research interests focus on algae and plants. He has taught Introductory Biology I (BIOL 100) many times over the years; this large first year “majors” course is taught in the Education Auditorium every Fall semester, and typically has 350 to 400 students. The course serves Biology students, Education students, Kinesiology students, Biochemistry students and students in a wide variety of Pre-Professional programs.
