Large class teaching
A ‘large’ class generally includes 100 students or more, but there is no single definition. In some cases, ‘large’ may signify a class of 50-70 students, in others, it may include up to 1500 students in a single cohort. Teaching large classes requires a combination of skills and strategies including:
- organising and presenting effective lectures
- engaging students and developing a sense of belonging
- integrating active learning elements in traditional lecture formats
- blending face-to-face and technology-enhanced learning activities
- ‘crowd control’ in large groups
- managing and supporting staff teams, including tutors
Teaching large classes requires a combination of skills and strategies.
Large classes are most common in the first year. This carries the added responsibility of supporting first year students through the transition to university, while also introducing them to learning in the university context. Peer support and social networking is particularly important for students in large first year classes.
This site contains links to a range of resources designed to provide you with ideas for engaging students and for encouraging active learning in your large classes, particularly in lectures.