Engaging Large Classes Inside
& Outside the “Classroom”
Faculty Fellows Workshop
Dr. Deanna Sellnow
Dr. Molly Reynolds
Challenges
1 Take a minute to jot down some of the
challenges/concerns/fears you have about
a. Teaching large classes &
b. Using technology in teaching & learning
2 Provide real world examples from your
experiences if applicable.
So why do them (benefits)?
Large Classes
Technology
GOAL:
Personalize (i.e., “shrink”) the classroom
feeling by warming the classroom climate.
Maxwell, J. C. (1998, 2007). The 21 irrefutable laws of leadership.
Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
How?
•
•
•
•
Before Class
During Class
Outside of Class
Using TAs
Preparation is Critical
1 Syllabus
– Participation Points
– Incentivize Readings &
Homework
2 The First Day (climate)
–
–
–
–
Names
Icebreakers
Expectations
Modeling interactive
classroom
3 Lesson Plans NOT
Lecture Notes
– Goal & rationale
– Learning goals/outcomes
& performance criteria
– Content AND Process
that rounds the learning
cycle
– Formative assessment
integrated questions
Watch out for Content Tyranny
• Include only key points and
general themes
– especially difficult material
• Provide examples and
illustrations
– From You
– From Students
• Beware of “Readings
Regurgitation”
• Focus on content
application by analyzing
issues or problems rather
than on conveying factual
information
During Class
• Be available (before &
after)
• Pre-assessment (quizzes,
polls, one-minute essays,
readings reflections)
• Pairs/small
groups/cooperative base
groups (case studies, PBL,
contests, role plays,
demonstrations)
• Move around the room
• Questions and wait time
• Change pace of class
every 20 minutes
• “Pointing” with names
(groups, individuals)
• Integrate technological
devices (Twitter, Clickers,
Google)
• Formative assessment &
reflection
(question/murky pts box)
Reynolds “Dark Side” Twitter
Socrative
• Socrative.com
• APP:
– Socrative Teacher
– Socrative Student
• Room: jxDeZwhb
Outside of Class
Teacher
• Annotate lesson plan
• Review questions/murky pts
and integrate themes into
the next class period
• Follow up synthesis & next
steps (email, Blackboard)
• Prepare next lesson plan
• Review student names
Students
• Threaded discussions &
group work (Blackboard,
Twitter, Facebook)
• Required office visits (in
person, virtual)
• Application (real world)
homework (required and/or
bonus points)
Virtual Office Hours: AdobeConnect
• Connect.uky.edu
• Connect.uky.edu/virtualofficehours
GTAs and UTAs
1
2
3
4
Pros/Cons?
Best Practices
Digital Natives as Tutors
Transformative Learning
a. Teaching as challenging
b. Teaching as rewarding
c. Teaching as transformational
Questions? Comments?
Deanna.Sellnow@uky.edu
Molly.Reynolds@uky.edu