Lori Meadows
Teaching university students can be a challenging task, especially for those who are new to the profession. To be an effective teacher, one must be able to engage students' curiosity through authentic and relevant content, provide clear lesson plans, and create a supportive and inclusive learning environment. This involves combining various teaching methods, such as verbal and visual explanations, group learning, and opportunities for active learning and reflection. Additionally, it is essential to set fair course policies, provide clear expectations, and seek assistance when dealing with students' non-academic issues that may impact their performance. Ultimately, creating a positive and supportive learning experience will help students build confidence and succeed in their academic endeavours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lesson planning | Identify learning objectives, design learning activities, and develop strategies to obtain feedback. |
| Teaching methods | Combine verbal and visual explanations, use a "big-picture" and detail-oriented approach, and provide opportunities for active learning and reflection. |
| Student engagement | Encourage curiosity by providing relevant content and supporting their understanding. Share lesson plans and agendas to keep students engaged and on track. |
| Fairness and support | Ensure fairness and provide support to students dealing with non-academic issues. Make exceptions only when warranted by circumstances. |
| Communication | Check in with students regularly and provide opportunities for feedback. |
| Instructor role | Act as a coach or director of student learning. |
| Group learning | Encourage group learning and structured group assignments to benefit students, especially in STEM subjects. |
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What You'll Learn
Be organised and have a clear lesson plan
Being organised and having a clear lesson plan is key to effective teaching at university. A lesson plan is an instructor's roadmap of what students need to learn and how it will be done effectively during the class time. Before planning your lesson, you should identify the learning objectives for the class meeting. You can then design appropriate learning activities and develop strategies to obtain feedback on student learning.
A successful lesson plan integrates these three key components: specifying concrete objectives for student learning, determining the types of teaching and learning activities, and understanding how you will check whether the learning objectives have been accomplished. For example, you might start with a question or activity to gauge students' prior knowledge of the subject. This could be a simple poll or electronic survey. You can then adapt your introduction and learning activities accordingly.
Each class period should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. It is important not to cover too much material in a single class. Include time to summarise important points and make connections to the previous session. This helps students to remember and follow your presentation, and understand the rationale behind in-class activities. Having a clearly visible agenda, such as writing a brief plan on the board, will help both you and your students to stay on track.
It is also beneficial to take a few minutes after each class to reflect on what worked well and what could be improved. This will help you to refine your lesson plans and teaching methods over time.
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Combine teaching methods
When teaching at a university, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The best teaching method depends on the learning outcomes, student needs, and the learning environment.
To reach as many students as possible, it is beneficial to combine teaching methods. For example, you could combine verbal and visual explanations, such as by using PowerPoint slides with audio. This can be easily transferred to online teaching by using videos for the modelling stage and discussion groups for the guided practice stage.
Another way to combine teaching methods is to explain concepts using both a "big-picture" and a detail-oriented approach. This can be done by first introducing concepts in their simplest form and then gradually progressing to more complex procedures. This approach is particularly useful when learners are unfamiliar with the processes being presented, and it is often used in STEM fields.
A third way to combine teaching methods is to give students opportunities for active learning and reflection. This can be done through structured group assignments, where students are given specific roles and then cycle through those roles in subsequent activities. Common classroom activities for groups include “think-pair-share”, fishbowl debates, case studies, problem-solving, and jigsaw.
In addition to combining teaching methods, it is important to create an empathic and supportive environment to increase student engagement and success. Checking in with students regularly and providing opportunities for feedback can help create this supportive environment.
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Make implicit expectations explicit
Students from diverse backgrounds, such as those with an educational background outside of Canada, first-generation students, Indigenous students, and adult learners returning to post-secondary education, often experience academic culture as outsiders. To facilitate inclusion and equal participation for these students, it is essential to make implicit expectations explicit.
Communicate Module Expectations:
Before diving into the learning material, it is beneficial to set a strong foundation by explicitly communicating key expectations and values. This includes practical guidelines for online learning, such as how to demonstrate presence and choose the appropriate media for participation. Emphasizing mutual respect and inclusivity is crucial, along with explaining how to effectively challenge each other. Highlight that every student brings a unique perspective that enhances the collective understanding.
Provide Transparent Learning Objectives:
Make the learning objectives transparent to students from the outset. This helps remove barriers to assessment and increases motivation. When students understand the relevance of their contributions and see their ideas reflected in the teaching session, they become more confident in participating. This sets the tone early on that all contributions are valued and essential for enriching the learning experience.
Model Successful Participation:
Students new to the university environment are learning how to navigate implicit expectations. Teachers can scaffold and model successful participation in activities or the completion of assignments. For instance, demonstrate how to analyze an article or break down the steps for writing an essay. Then, provide in-class guidance and allow students to practice before expecting them to independently apply these skills.
Identify and Address Learning Bottlenecks:
Learning bottlenecks are areas where a high percentage of students struggle to meet specific learning outcomes. To address these bottlenecks, first define them precisely. For example, if students struggle with reflecting on their experiences, provide explicit instructions and guidance on how to approach this task. The Decoding the Disciplines model offers a seven-step cycle to help instructors decode and address these common challenges.
Combine Implicit and Explicit Instruction:
While explicit instruction involves direct lessons and guidance from the teacher, implicit instruction focuses on independent student learning. These approaches can complement each other. For instance, in a second language class, the teacher can provide a vocabulary worksheet and also ask students to use the new words in sentences. This strategy clarifies learning objectives while fostering the student's ability to integrate new vocabulary independently.
By employing these strategies, instructors can make implicit expectations explicit, creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment that enhances student engagement and success.
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Be fair and consistent
Fairness and consistency are key components of effective teaching. Students highly value fairness, and it is crucial to apply this principle consistently in your classroom procedures, discipline management, teaching style, and homework assignments.
When applying course policies, emphasise that fairness to all students is your goal. Outline all policies in your course syllabus, and communicate any roles and responsibilities to your assistants.
To ensure fairness, make exceptions only when circumstances warrant, rather than to end a conflict with a student. For example, if a student is unhappy with a grade, explain the justification, and then shift the focus to strategies for improvement. Remember that a student's academic performance may be influenced by non-academic issues, and you can seek assistance from academic advisors or health services if needed.
Fairness does not always mean treating students equally. Each student is unique, with their own strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. You can adapt your teaching methods to make content accessible to the largest number of students. For instance, you can implement a system where students take turns being the class note-taker, supporting those with disabilities and those developing note-taking skills.
In class discussions, value all students' contributions by providing extra time for students who need it and explicitly praising introverts for their observations.
Consistency in your teaching methods and classroom management is also vital. Have clear, pre-arranged rules and consequences, and apply them calmly and fairly. This reduces classroom disruptions and helps students know what to expect. Each class should have a clear structure, with time to summarise important points and make connections to previous material.
By being fair and consistent, you will create a positive, engaging classroom environment that supports student learning and success.
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Create an empathic and supportive environment
Creating an empathic and supportive environment is essential for student engagement and success. Teachers and parents play a crucial role in demonstrating empathy in real-world situations. Here are some ways to create an empathic and supportive environment:
Show Empathy and Create a Safe Space
Show empathy in everyday interactions by responding with patience, understanding, and kindness. Listen to your students and consider their feelings. Make the classroom a 100% safe space for all students, free from bullying.
Foster Relationships and Trust
Build relationships and trust with your students. Make yourself available and approachable. Check in with students regularly, providing feedback and receiving their feedback. Show your students that you care about their academic success and overall well-being.
Encourage Open and Honest Communication
Create an environment where students feel comfortable sharing their feelings, thoughts, and stories. Use circle discussions to remove hierarchy and encourage active participation. Collaboratively create class agreements and goals, reflecting a shared understanding of how to treat one another.
Be Fair and Consistent
Apply course policies fairly and consistently for all students. Make exceptions only when circumstances warrant, not to end conflicts. Include all policies in the course syllabus and communicate any assistant instructor roles and responsibilities.
Engage Students' Curiosity
Engage students' curiosity by making learning relevant and meaningful. Combine teaching methods, such as verbal and visual explanations, to accommodate different learning styles. Provide clear expectations and scaffold instruction to help students successfully participate and complete assignments.
By implementing these strategies, you can create an empathic and supportive environment that promotes student engagement, emotional well-being, and academic success.
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Frequently asked questions
Identify the learning objectives for the class and design learning activities to meet those objectives. Outline the learning objectives and agenda for the class on a board or handout to help students follow your presentation and understand the rationale behind in-class activities.
There is no single most effective teaching method, but research supports a practical range of methods that can be adapted to different circumstances. Combine verbal and visual explanations, use a "big-picture" and detail-oriented approach, and give students opportunities for active learning and reflection.
Make exceptions only when circumstances warrant, not to end a conflict with an individual student. Make all policies clear in the course syllabus and communicate any exceptions to assistants to course instructors.
Consult with the student’s academic advisor or Student Health Services. Often, a student’s academic performance is affected by non-academic issues such as medical concerns or personal problems.
Share your own experiences and encourage students to do the same. Make the content relevant and authentic, and support students' understanding by making implicit expectations explicit.
