UCSC's Teaching Toolbox
 

Resources for Teaching Large Classes

Teaching large classes (especially those over 100 students) poses some challenges, from simple management issues to the more complex questions of how to design effective learning experiences for the students. While planning any course is complex, some questions become particularly challenging for a large class:

(Note - Click on the numbers in parentheses to jump to resources in the list below that provide guidance on that question.)

  • How can I encourage interaction in a large class? (5, 8, 9, 11, 17)
  • How can I keep the attention of so many students during lectures? (5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 16,)
  • How can I encourage active learning? ( 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19)
  • How can I provide meaningful feedback on assignments? (5, 13)
  • What kinds of exams can I give? (2, 7, 9, 12)
  • Should I require attendance in lecture or sections? (5, 7)
  • How can I manage the paperwork, individual questions, and inevitable problems that arise in any class, on such a large scale? (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 18)
  • What is the best role for my TAs? (5, 15, 18)
  • What kind of instructional technology should I use? (1, 2, 9)

Listed below are a number of resources for teaching large classes, including units at UCSC that can help, online resources at other universities, and books on teaching large classes.

Resources at UCSC

1. Faculty Instructional Technology Center (FITC)

http://ic.ucsc.edu/services/fitc_lab/
or
http://ic.ucsc.edu/services/narrative_evaluations/

  • Class web sites, including online grade book, online quizes, threaded discussions, and other tools for managing large courses.
  • Workshops on a variety of technology tools (PowerPoint, WebCT, slide scanning, Photoshop, etc.)
  • Assistance for using an automated system for completing student narrative evaluations.

2. Media Services

http://media.ucsc.edu/

  • Information and training for using installed media equipment in classrooms.
  • Equipment check-out for non-installed equipment.
  • Recording, archiving, and podcasting of lectures for student review online.
  • Classroom database: find out about installed media equipment and classroom configuration for any registrar-scheduled classroom on campus.
  • Scantron test scoring: http://media.ucsc.edu/services/scantron.html

3. Center for Teaching Excellence

http://ic.ucsc.edu/CTE/

  • Consultation on course development for any size course.
  • Mid-quarter feedback on teaching (including student feedback and teaching observation)
  • Teaching tips online
  • References for additional resources on particular teaching issues.

4. Library

Online resources

General Resources on large classes

5. Univ. of Maryland, Center for Teaching Excellence, “Large Class Teaching Guide”

http://www.cte.umd.edu/library/teachingLargeClass/guide/index.html

Comprehensive large class resource.

6. UC Berkeley, “Preparing to Teach the Large Lecture Course”

http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/largelecture.html

Includes good tips for effective lecturing, as well as various course management tips.

7. UNC Charlotte, “Survival Handbook for Large Classes”

http://www.fctel.uncc.edu/pedagogy/focuslargeclasses/ASurvivalHandbook.html

Especially good on class management issues.

Effective Teaching in Large Classes

8. Beating the Numbers Game: Effective Teaching in Large Classes

by Richard M. Felder, Department of Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University 

http://www.ncsu.edu/felder-public/Papers/Largeclasses.htm

Tips from a veteran of large classes, esp. geared toward sciences.

9. University of Oregon, Teaching Effectiveness Program, “Large Classes”

http://tep.uoregon.edu/workshops/teachertraining/largeclasses/largeclasses.html

Especially recommended sections of this web site are:

  • Engaging Students
  • Effective Presentations
  • Using Technology
  • Assessment (includes a section on effective multiple-choice tests)

10. Univ. of AB, Birmingham, Teaching Tips, “Effective Lectures”

http://www.uab.edu/uasomume/cdm/lectures.htm

Basic lecturing tips

11. Orms Today, “Promote active learning during lectures”

http://lionhrtpub.com/orms/orms-12-96/education.html

12. Stanford Univ., Center for Teaching & Learning, “Speaking of Teaching” newsletter

http://ctl.stanford.edu/Newsletter/

See papers on:

  • Testing and grading (vol. 15, #2)
  • Lecturing (vol. 14, #1)

13. KU Writing Center, “Using Writing in Large Classes”

http://www.writing.ku.edu/instructors/docs/large_class.shtml

14. UCSC, Center for Teaching Excellence, “Strategies for Increasing Active Learning in Lecture Courses”

http://ic.ucsc.edu/CTE/teaching/tips-active.html

Supervising TAs

15. UIUC, Center for Teaching Excellence, “Working with Teaching Assistants”

http://www.oir.uiuc.edu/Did/Resources/Illini%20Instructor/workingwithTAs.htm

Books on Teaching Large Classes

All of these books are available in McHenry Library.

16. Bligh, Donald A.What's the Use of Lectures? (Jossey-Bass, 2000)

For anyone using lecture as a central element of teaching, this book is a helpful discussion of what lectures can and can’t accomplish, and how to make them most effective. Addresses memory and attention span, organization, different types of lecture, preparing a lecture, and selecting other teaching methods to use with lectures.

17. MacGregor, Jean.  Strategies for Energizing Large Classes: from Small Groups to Learning Communities

Contents: The argument for making large classes seem small / James L. Cooper, Pamela Robinson; Getting started: informal small-group strategies in large classes / James L. Cooper, Pamela Robinson; Going deeper: formal small-group learning in large classes / Karl A. Smith; Restructuring large classes to create communities of learners / Jean MacGregor; Implementing small-group instruction: insights from successful practitioners / James L. Cooper, et al.; Making small-group learning and learning communities a widespread reality / Karl A. Smith, Jean MacGregor.

18. Stanley, Christine A.Engaging Large Classes: Strategies and Techniques for College Faculty (Anker, 2002)

Recommended chapters for instructors new to teaching large classes: Working with Teaching Assistants and Undergraduate Peer Facilitators / Civikly-Powell and Wulff; Teaching Larges Classes in Pharmacy Practice / McAuley and Bennett (good examples of active learning and rationale for depth over breadth); What My Students Have Taught Me / Iverson (about teaching chemistry, but good advice for any discipline); Teaching Social Science to a Small Society / Nilson (good pedagogical practices and seasoned advice); Promoting Civility in Large Classes / Sorcinelli.

19. Carbone, Elisa.Teaching Large Classes: Tools and Strategies (Sage, 1998)

This short book (92 pp.) is packed with practical advice on improving large classes. Based on a large class improvement project at University of Maryland, it includes many tips contributed by faculty with successful large-class experience. The best section is that on incorporating active learning in large classes. Also very helpful about creating a good class climate. The section on technology is, as usual, extremely dated and not useful.