Handouts from the 1/15/04 Faculty Roundtable "Humanizing large classes "

Some Suggestions for Teaching Large Classes prepared by John vohs, Dept. of Comunication, UC Davis

1. Coverage of material shouldn't be your only goal during a class session. It is is, throw this sheet away.

2. PowerPoint can be the problem as often as it can be the solution.

3. You don't have to be an entertainer. A good way to keep their attention is through the use of variety.

4. Help them take notes. Give them some signposts.

5. On getting some discussion going during class:

a. Select some students (say, 4-5 of them in a given row) and alert them in advance that you'll have a couple of questions for them.

b. Prepare your discussion questions in advance. Use at least as much care here as you would in preparing your lecture material.

c. Start with safe questions, not ones tht they expect will have right or wrong answers.

d. Do this every class session.

6. Look at them. Listen. Convey respect.

Students' Top Ten Complaints About their Professors from Murray, B. (Jan. 2000). Professors' Most Grating Habits, Monitor on Psychology, pp 56-7

Approximately 700 students at the U. of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, weere asked to reflect on the teaching behaviors that they had observed across all of their courses, and note their complaints. Here are the most common ones.

1. Poor course organization and plannning.
   
2. Poor teaching mechanics (for example, poor use of the blackboard, or speaking too fast, too softly, too slowly).
   
3. Lecture style and technique, including being too wooden or too long-winded.
   
4. Poor testing and exam procedures.
   
5. Negative mannerism, including attire and verbal and nonverbal idiosyncrasies.
   
6. Monotone voice.
   
7. Poor use of class time (e.g., coming late to class and stopping early).
   
8. OIntellectual arrogance - talking down to or showing lack of respect for students.
   
9. Being unhelpful and not approachable.
   
10. Unfair or confusing grading process.