Contact - Volume 7, Issue 4

November 2010 - Overcoming teaching assumptions in the lecture hall

Often in teaching, we make assumptions that the students understand what we are saying, that they actually know the concepts and can apply them in other settings. It is only when we get to the mid-term do we find out that this may not be the case. In this issue we look at different methods of teaching large classes where research has demonstrated that they can improve student learning.

For upcoming workshops on teaching and learning, check out Concierge.

Podcast - Overcoming Teaching Assumptions
An podcast interview with Dr. Eric Mazur, Dean of Physics, Harvard University by Dr. Maureen Wideman.

Play it / hear it - MP3 - 16 minutes

Using Peer Instruction and I-Clickers to Enhance Student Participation in Calculus

by Adam Lucas

This paper discusses the research into student learning conducted in a calculus class where the instructor used peer instruction and clickers to engage students.

Interactive Engagement: How Much is Enough

by Louis E. Keiner and Teresa E. Burns

In this article, the authors discuss how the lecture-lab format for teaching was "woefully disappointing." By incorporating more active learning techniques like peer instruction, they found student learning increased. (From the UOIT Library.)

Just-in-Time Teaching

by A. Gavrin

Just-in-Time Teaching enables faculty to increase interactivity in the classroom and engage students in learning. By creating a feedback loop between students’ work at home and the classroom setting, time on task is improved in both quality and quantity. This paper discusses the use of this teaching method and its effectiveness.

Other Resources:

Dr. Eric Mazur's web site: http://mazur-www.harvard.edu/

Just-in-time Teaching web site: http://www.jitt.org

Contact is the University of Ontario Institute of Technology's monthly e-newsletter bringing you the latest information on teaching and learning. Contact podcasts are also available for subscription free from the iTunes Music Store - just search on UOIT.

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Contact is produced by the Office of the Associate Provost, Academic, University of Ontario Institute of Technology.