10 - TEACHING AND LEARNING IN LARGE GROUPS

Question 1

• is a convenient way to transmit a large amount of information to a large number of students, although not necessarily more effective
• considered one of the oldest forms of teaching
• involves class sizes of 25 or more students, often in a big lecture hall setting

Answer 1

Large Group Teaching

Question 2

• learners construct their own knowledge and learning is an inherently social phenomenon
• support the use of group learningg
• gives students the chance to express their thoughts and understandings, eliminate misunderstandings, and engage with others to produce something or come to an agreement

Answer 2

Large Group Learning

Question 3

Effective Use of Lecture Presentation Software

Answer 3

1. keep the number of slides to a minimum
2. use slides to enhance and illustrate the presentation, do not use unnecessary slides
3. avoid using complex background images which detract attention, ensure good color contrast between the text and the background
4. do not use over-complex graphs
5. use a sans serif font such as arial or verdana
6. try to avoid lectures which use only slides with bullet points
7. consider the use of animations to build graphic explanations of complex ideas
8. import and use digitized images, sound or video material within the presentation
9. use the active buttons feature or use the hyperlink function

Question 4

Common Types of Disruptive Behavior and How to Manage them

Answer 4

1. dealing with inattentive students
2. dealing with latecomers
3. dealing with noisy students using their mobile phone

Question 5

• make eye contact with them
• discontinue the discussion with a short pause
• ask the students directly if they have a question

Answer 5

Dealing with Inattentive Students

Question 6

• Disseminate ground rules that students should not come into the classroom more than ten minutes after the start
• Pause until the latecomers is settled in
• Use of humor to comment on late arrival

Answer 6

Dealing with Latecomers

Question 7

• set ground rules to switch off all mobile phones
• stop talking in mid-sentence and look in a non-aggressive way
• may use humor to remind the students that they are breaking the ground rules
• direct a question to the area in which the noisy students are sitting

Answer 7

Dealing with Noisy Students Using their Mobile Phone

Question 8

Activities/Learning Techniques Used for Teaching and Learning in Large Groups

Answer 8

1. Questioning
2. Groupings/Brainstorming
3. Think-Pair-Share
4. Silent Reflection
5. Debate
6. Quizzes
7. Assignments

Question 9

the simplest form of interactive teaching tool, particularly in large classes, and are useful in any discipline, they can help promote active learning and gauge students’ level of interest and comprehension

Answer 9

Questioning

Question 10

this can be an effective method for encouraging freethinking and creativity, it is especially helpful when trying to come up with new ideas or find solutions to problems

Answer 10

Groupings/Brainstorming

Question 11

a good ice-breaking technique for early in the term, it’s also an easy way to make large classes interactive and encourages more students to participate than regular question strategies

Answer 11

Think-Pair-Share

Question 12

it gives students some time to reflect about an issue or problem

Answer 12

Silent Reflection

Question 13

a good way to encourage class participation in large groups without losing control, and they can work in any discipline

Answer 13

Debate

Question 14

this helps students to learn because these tasks involve retrieval practice or thinking back to information before learning and bringing it to mind

Answer 14

Quizzes

Question 15

this provides an opportunity for students to learn, practice, and demonstrate they have achieved the learning goals

Answer 15

Assignments