Teaching Large Classes Tools and Strategies

You have finished your Ph.D. and landed your first academic job. Scanning the fine print, you realize the introductory class you have been assigned to teach is being held in an auditorium. A really big auditorium. Panic begins to set in. . . . In this handy and practical book, Elisa Carbone offers a wealth of sound advice on how to deal with a large class, from the first day to end-of-semester evaluations. Full of examples taken from many different disciplines, Teaching Large Classes will be an ideal companion for any teacher facing the challenge of the large introductory class.

Foreword

ix

Jim Greenberg

Acknowledgments

xiii

Introduction

xv

Listening to the Experts

xv

I. STARTING OUT RIGHT

Starting the Semester: The First Class

3

(4)

First Impressions

4

(1)

The Syllabus

5

(1)

Breaking the Ice

6

(1)

First-Class Anxiety

6

(1)

References

7

(5)

Personalizing the Large Class

8

(4)

Act as if the Class Were Small

8

(1)

Learn Student Names

9

(1)

Personalize Feedback

10

(1)

Invite Input From Students

11

(1)

Be Available

11

(1)

References

12

(12)

II. PRESENTING THE MATERIAL

Lecturing 101: Getting Your Students to Listen

17

(7)

Help Students Create Connections

18

(2)

Maintain Your Credibility---Don't Lose Your Listeners Through Self-Deprecation

20

(1)

Organize Effectively---Help Your Students Follow Your Train of Thought

21

(1)

Use Extemporaneous Oral Style---Help Your Students Understand What You're Saying

21

(1)

Don't Let Your Words Cause Individuals in Your Classroom to Stop Listening

22

(1)

Make the Most of Your Personal Communication Strengths

23

(1)

References

24

(6)

Lecturing 102: Using Stories and Examples

25

(5)

Family Stories

26

(1)

Stories From the Media

27

(1)

Personal Experience

28

(1)

Storytelling Tips

28

(2)

References

30

(14)

Using Demonstrations, Visual Aids, and Technology

31

(13)

Demonstrations and Dramatic Devices

31

(2)

Visual Aids

33

(1)

Uses of Technology

34

(1)

Overheads

35

(1)

Videos---Professionally Produced

35

(1)

Videos---Homemade

36

(1)

The Net---Teaching Students to Use It

37

(1)

The Net as a Teaching Tool During Class

37

(1)

The Net as a Teaching Tool Outside of Class

38

(1)

Electronic Tutorials

39

(1)

Presentation Software for Lectures

39

(3)

Using E-Mail: Problems and Solutions

42

(2)

References

44

(12)

III. GETTING YOUR STUDENTS INVOLVED

Active Learning in a Large Class

47

(9)

Running a Tight Ship (With a Crew of 100 or More)

48

(3)

Planning: Be Prepared. Make the Task Clear to Students

48

(1)

Ensuring Participation: Make Learning Objectives Clear and Require a Group Product

49

(1)

Maintaining Order: Limits on Time and Group Size

50

(1)

Methods

51

(4)

Participatory Lecture

51

(1)

Think-Pair-Share

52

(2)

Student Demonstrations

54

(1)

Games

55

(1)

Departmental Support

55

(1)

References

56

(7)

Are There Any Questions?

57

(6)

Helping Students Question the Material (and Life)

58

(1)

Helping Students Feel Free to Ask Questions

59

(1)

Asking Questions to Provoke Critical Thinking in Students

60

(2)

Questions for Discussion and Participation

62

(1)

References

63

(11)

IV. MANAGING YOUR LARGE CLASS

Assessment and Feedback in Large Classes

67

(7)

Course Planning for Meaningful Assessment

68

(1)

Exam Logistics

69

(2)

Frequent Feedback Without Frequent Headaches

71

(2)

Feedback From Students

73

(1)

References

74

(10)

Managing Student Behavior

75

(9)

The Problems

75

(1)

Underlying Problems and Solutions

76

(1)

Different Strokes

77

(1)

The Classroom: Sacred Temple of Learning

77

(1)

Laissez-Faire

78

(1)

In Between

78

(2)

Conclusions

80

(1)

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Teaching Large Classes Tools and Strategies

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials