Cal Poly Pomona Faculty Computing Support Center

Teaching Large Classes Effectively

online workshop notes
teaching large classes effectively with instructional technology

"One of the challenges of large classes is overcoming the anonymity and distance that can exist between teacher and students. If students are to be actively involved in and feel personal accountability for the learning process, they must be more than anonymous spectators and passive recipients of information. In order to facilitate discussion, feedback, and active learning, the instructors of large classes can work to create the kind of group identity and individual rapport that make smaller classes so effective and enjoyable." --IDP Penn State.

[Note: Links below will open a new window in your web browser, leaving this window open.]

new technologies
*
in class

  • overheads and presentations -- present information, provide examples, illustrate concepts
  • instructional videos, computer simulations, etc. can reinforce course content
  • online assessment (in a computer labs)
  • course web sites - "supplemental reading" links, live action cameras, up-to-date information,

new technologies
*
outside class 24/7

  • course web sites - information from instructor, links, input opportunities from students (bulletin boards, forms)
  • enrich discussions (in and outside class) and facilitate communication -- e-mail discussion lists, bulletin boards, newsgroups, web conferencing (chat, white boards)
  • web-based assignments
  • self-paced, web-based instructional materials
  • online assessment
  • student projects - individual & collaborative
Cal Poly Pomona
instructional technology
examples

Class Home Page Index -- links to some class home pages. (http://www.csupomona.edu/directories/classes)

Faculty and Staff Home Page Index -- links to some personal home pages (http://www.csupomona.edu/directories/faculty)

WebCT "open" course key graphic Online Courses with WebCT (http://webct.csupomona.edu) -- Rich web course environment. Follow directions under Course Listings to explore courses that accept self-registration.

FCSC Web Best Practices -- some of Cal Poly Pomona's most innovative web sites. (http://www.csupomona.edu/~faculty_computing/lab/core/bestpract.html)

instructional technology online resources

Faculty Computing Support Center -- programs and services to facilitate Cal Poly Pomona faculty use of technology to enhance teaching and learning. (http://www.csupomona.edu/~faculty_computing). See especially, lab online resources, workshop handouts, web best practices)

Teaching with Technology (U. of OR Teaching Effectiveness Program) - great site! http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~tep/technology/; see especially Using Technology in Teaching Large Classes -- (http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~tep/largeclass/largeclass2.html)

Implementing the Seven Principles: Technology as Lever -- "describes some of the most cost-effective and appropriate ways to use computers, video, and telecommunications technologies to advance the Seven Principles." a classic! (http://www.aahe.org/technology/ehrmann.htm)

general online resources

On Teaching Large Classes (Tufts, 9/00) -- prominent sites on lecturing, "chalkboard skills," and promoting interaction; bibliography. (http://www.ase.tufts.edu/cte/occasional_papers/large-classes.htm)

Teaching Large Classes (SUNY Buffalo, ) -- annotated links to bibliographies and articles. (http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/tlr/large.html)

Penn State Large Class FAQ - (http://www.psu.edu/celt/largeclass/lcfaq.shtml)

Did you find this material useful? Gripes? Compliments? Suggestions for other links? Write us!
Dr. Susan Kullmann Puz, Director, Faculty Computing Support Center
 skpuz@csupomona.edu

| Faculty Computing Support Center HOME |

Updated October 30, 2000

http://www.csupomona.edu/~faculty_computing/ws/lgclass.html