Lectures are the most common form of teaching in universities. There is significant literature discussing the value of lectures: some argue they are vital to higher education, others that they are ineffective and even harmful to students. New technologies such as lecture recording and blended and online learning strategies such as flipped classrooms are also impacting teaching and learning. But despite all this, the lecture is still central to much university teaching and a core part of the student experience.

In this coffee course, we will look at how to enhance lecture delivery with practical strategies. The course will look at some of the literature around lectures, attendance, and student engagement. We will explore discussion techniques to promote active learning among students within the lecture format, and look at how technologies can effectively facilitate this. Designing effective presentations and taking advantage of lecture recordings will also be covered in this course. Join us to share your experiences and learn from colleagues to make the most of your lectures.

Course Dates

This course ran from Wednesday, 28 June to Wednesday, 5 July 2017, through this blog, but is accessible online to anyone interested. There are 6 blog posts that will each take about 10-15 minutes to work through.

Modules

• Day 1: The role of lectures in contemporary university teaching
• Day 2: Discussion and activity strategies in lectures
• Day 3: Are you with me? Technologies for active learning
• Day 4: Designing effective presentations
• Day 5: Taking advantage of lecture recordings
• Day 6: The big picture: What’s next for lectures?

Facilitators

This course is brought to you by your regular coffee course facilitators, Katie Freund, Janene Harman, and Jill Lyall from ANU Online.

All are welcome

We welcome all staff, including tutors, demonstrators, professional staff, and academics at the Australian National University to join us, as well as colleagues at other institutions. Professional development recognition is available for all ANU staff through HORUS.

How do the coffee courses work?

All you need to do is Subscribe for Updates by visiting our blog and clicking on the red Subscribe button (scroll down to the bottom of the page) to receive future posts. We welcome you to comment and discuss on each post as they are added. Feel free to participate as much or as little as you prefer.

Questions?

Please feel free to contact us at EdDesign@anu.edu.au  with any questions, or leave a comment below.