How to Create Lessons for Small, Medium, and Large Classes
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
The landscape of education thrives on diversity—not only of its students but also in the size and nature of its classes. In the modern academic setting, the effectiveness of teaching strategies often hinges on the instructor's ability to adapt to class size variations. Whether managing a seminar of 19 or a lecture hall of 99, the approach must mold to fit. In this blog post, inspired by 'Good Teaching,' the dynamic and educational podcast with Dr. Toyin Alli, we delve into the art and science of customizing teaching methods to the size of the class.
The Small Class Dynamic: Fostering Individual Growth
Small classes provide a unique opportunity to cultivate a close-knit learning environment. With a cap at 19 students, as in Dr. Alli's pre-calculus class, these intimate settings unveil the potential for high levels of student-teacher interaction. The flipped classroom model, armed with video lectures and in-class workbooks, shines in this setting.
Misconceptions are unmasked as students grapple with problems, not in isolation, but with the scaffolding of their peers and the immediate guidance of their instructor. It is in these discussions and shared struggles where true learning happens. Small classes, equipped with this hands-on, minds-on approach, help students build not just knowledge but also problem-solving tenacity.
Medium Class Synergy: Leveraging Collective Intelligence
Medium-sized classes, ranging from 30 to 60 students, strike a balance between the personalization possible in small classes and the diverse perspectives found in larger ones. Dr. Alli's strategy for such a class is what she fondly names "group work day." It emphasizes collaboration and application, particularly effective in her applied linear algebra courses.
She introduces conceptual questions that demand more discussion and less computation, fostering a space where students work in groups yet are responsible for their learning as a collective on group quizzes. This method not only cements analytical skills but also lays the groundwork for effective communication and teamwork. It's the symphony of mathematical discourse among students that becomes a signal of deep, shared learning.
Large Class Engagement: Keeping the Masses Focused
Larger classes come with challenges in engagement and individual attention. Dr. Alli, drawing from her graduate teaching experiences, champions the use of "mini breaks" for every 10 minutes of lecturing. This segmented approach in large classes of 65 to 99 students revitalizes attention spans and promotes active learning.
Techniques like think-pair-share, where students first grapple with content individually and then collaborate with peers, can prevent the anonymity and passivity that often haunt large classrooms. Additionally, live polling addresses misconceptions in real-time and democratically brings students' thoughts into the light. In these larger forums, it's about cultivating a shared, albeit vast, classroom presence.
Conclusion:
As 'Good Teaching' wraps up its second season, Dr. Alli's reflective and advice-laden finale stands as a testament to the adaptability and resourcefulness that teaching requires. Each class size brings its unique rhythm and demands, from the intimate arrangements in small seminars to the complex orchestrations of a large lecture.
Teaching strategies are not one-size-fits-all; they are dynamic and responsive. They are meant to evolve with the needs of the students and the educational context. As educators and lifelong learners alike, let's take the summer hiatus until the resumption of 'Good Teaching' in the fall to ponder our own strategies and successes. In the meantime, Dr. Alli encourages feedback and questions to keep the dialogue flowing on YouTube, LinkedIn, or Instagram. Because, in education, the conversation never really ends—it simply finds new classrooms in which to flourish. Happy teaching—and learning—until we reconvene in the fall.
Learn more about the Independent Professor Workshop
Explore the Independent Professor Workshop, hosted by Dr. Alli. Uncover the advantages of independent teaching and how it can extend your impact beyond the university. Learn how to create your own self-hosted learning experiences, share your expertise, and supplement your income.
As we conclude this journey into the world of active learning, remember that you have the power to revolutionize your college teaching. Embrace active learning, and witness the incredible transformation it brings to your classroom. Join the conversation on social media and become a part of the active learning movement!
