Exemplary Practices in College/University Teaching and Learning
Large Classes
HEQCO EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) 002
Over the past decade, Ontario has witnessed a growing demand for postsecondary education, resulting in substantial
enrolment increases and greater pressure on already limited resources. Institutions have responded, in part, by
increasing the size of many college and university classes beyond traditional norms. As a result, Ontario’s higher
education sector needs to identify the unique challenges and opportunities associated with teaching and learning in
large class environments.
HEQCO invites expressions of interest in conducting research on pedagogical practices that aim to enhance the quality of
student learning in large classes. For the purposes of this EOI, large classes are defined as those where registration
numbers demand rethinking traditional methods of teaching, learning, and course organization. This condition is most
common in introductory classes, but it may also exist in upper-level seminars or capstone courses, or in applied learning
programs where access to specialized equipment is necessary.
This invitation is extended to faculty members, researchers, teaching and learning centers and others at universities and
colleges across Canada.
We are interested in receiving expressions of interest for two types of projects:
1. Proposals to evaluate innovative approaches to teaching large classes that are already in place or are scheduled
for implementation in the 2011-12 academic year; or
2. Proposals to develop and evaluate new interventions designed to enhance learning outcomes in large classes,
most likely commencing in 2012-13.
Submissions must satisfy the following criteria:
 The primary focus of the approach or proposed intervention is on pedagogical practices that enhance teaching
and learning outcomes in large classes. (NOTE: The initiative may involve incorporating learning technologies,
but only where these are supportive of the primary goal of dealing with large classes. A separate EOI, 003, seeks
expressions of interest for proposals where the primary objective is to evaluate the use of learning technologies
in enhancing learning outcomes independent of course size);
 The institution and the project leads are committed to evaluating the impact of the existing approach or the
proposed intervention on learning outcomes and to having the results published by HEQCO;
 There must be a clear and defensible strategy for evaluation;
 The existing approach or proposed intervention must potentially be exportable to other postsecondary
programs and institutions.
Institutions interested in participating must complete and submit the attached form to RFP@heqco.ca no later than
16:30 on July 14, 2011. Please use the text boxes to include a brief summary in response to each question. Background
documents can also be submitted as appendices to this document. Please email any questions to Richard Dominic
Wiggers at rwiggers@heqco.ca by Tuesday, July 5, 2011. All questions relating to this EOI, and the accompanying
responses, will be posted to the HEQCO website on July 7, 2011.
HEQCO will review the EOIs submitted, and invite a smaller group of applicants to participate in the next phase of the
competition. These respondents will be asked to provide further detail on the existing approach or proposed
intervention, the procedures to be used for evaluation, and the timelines. They will also be asked to submit a budget
and to indicate any other type of support they would require from HEQCO. HEQCO will select a number of these
proposals for support, based on quality and financial considerations that will be set out in an evaluation rubric. A further
consideration in selecting the final group of projects is to have a range of institution types and programs represented.
NOTE: This expression of interest does not constitute a call for proposals or bid solicitation. No contract/agreement
will be awarded on receipt of responses. Responding to this expression of interest will create no obligation on the part
of HEQCO.
Please forward your responses to
RFP@heqco.ca
by 16:30 on July 14, 2011.
Exemplary Practices in College/University Teaching and Learning
Large Classes
HEQCO EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) 002
Project Title
Contact Name
PSE Institution
Telephone #
Existing Approach
Email
New Intervention
1. Provide a brief description of the existing approach or proposed new intervention. If you are proposing to evaluate
an existing approach to teaching large classes, indicate as well how long the approach has been in place; if you are
proposing a new intervention, indicate when it would be implemented.
100-150 words
2. Briefly indicate how the existing approach or proposed intervention is grounded in relevant research from the
established literature, scholarship and professional practice, or in practices or examples already implemented at
other postsecondary institutions.
100-150 words
3. Provide a brief description of the strategy you would use to evaluate the effectiveness of the existing approach or
new intervention. How would you define success? What techniques (e.g. random assignment, pre/post outcomes,
qualitative methods) would you use to measure success? Do you have the required expertise available? What
expertise or resources would you seek from HEQCO?
150 words
4. Are there any preliminary findings, observations or lessons learned that can be shared at this time? If included as
attachments, please list and provide a brief summary or description of those attachments.
100 words