Resources for Teaching Large Classes

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General Information About Teaching Large Classes

Teaching Introductory Geoscience: Teaching Large Classes - This collection of pages contains a variety of information on teaching large classes, including active learning pedagogies for large classrooms and a browse of examples of introductory courses with 150 students or more.

Early Career - Teaching Large Classes - This page contains useful strategies and references about keeping students engaged, using technology and making it work for you, and getting groups to work well.

Teaching Urban Students - This collection of pages is part of the Cutting Edge and Pedagogy in Action projects and focuses on how to teach in urban environments, including how to handle large class sizes. The pages present information about how to effectively teach and engage students and example activities.

Assessment in Large Classes - Large classes pose a challenge for instructors who need to assess a large number of students in an efficient way. This page hosts a collection of SERC pages devoted to assessment strategies andexamples of how assessment is performed in the geosciences.

Effective Teaching Methods for Large Classes

Pedagogy in Action - Interactive Lectures - It can be difficult to engage students with the material in a large lecture class. This collection of pages on Interactive Lectures has strategies and specific examples of activitiesto involve students in large and small lecture-based classes.

Teaching with Interactive Demonstrations - Interactive demonstrations can also be used in classes of all sizes, as projection systems can make demonstrations visible to students in the backs of large classrooms. In this module you can learn about how to illustrate conceptsand perhaps even entertain your class with simple demonstrations. There are several example demonstrations included.

Lecture Tutorials - Lecture Tutorials are short worksheets that students complete in class to make lecture more interactive and thus, they can be effective in teaching large classes. They are designed specifically to address misconceptions and other topics with which students have difficulties. This module provides basic information for what lecture tutorials are and hot they can be used in the classroom. References and examples are also provided.

ConcepTests - ConcepTests are conceptual multiple-choice questionsthat focus onone key concept of an instructor's learning goalsfor a lesson. When coupled with student interaction through clickers and peer instruction, ConcepTests represent a rapid method of formative assessment of student understanding and may be useful in assessing learning in large classrooms (especially when used with clickers). This module explains what ConcepTests are, how they are used, and provides references and examples of ConcepTests.

Process-Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning - This page, part of Project Kaleidoscope, explains how and why process-oriented guided inquiry learning can be effective in large classrooms. Links to resources with more information are also provided.

Teaching Metacognition in Large Classes - These pages, by Perry Samson, explain why and how he teaches metacognitive skills in his large introductory classes.

Browse Large Class Activities and Courses

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Whose Fault Is It Anyway? part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:Games:Examples
This game has students simulate the propagation of P and S waves after an earthquake and to use the lag between these to determine where in the simulation the earthquake occurred. -

Subject: Geoscience:Geology, Environmental Science:Natural Hazards:Earthquakes
Resource Type: Activities:Classroom Activity:Short Activity

Investigating slope failure and landscape evolution with red beans and rice! part of NAGT:Teaching Resources:Teaching Materials Collection
Students investigate the behavior of a slope profile over geological timescales using a very simple experimental apparatus. The lab allows students to understand concepts of equilibrium, controls on slope profile, ...

Subject: Environmental Science:Natural Hazards:Mass Wasting, Geoscience:Geology:Geomorphology
Resource Type: Activities:Lab Activity, Classroom Activity

Subduction Zone Earthquakes part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:Interactive Lecture Demonstrations:Examples
While working in groups to facilitate peer tutoring, students manipulate a hands-on, physical model to better comprehend several characteristics of subduction zone earthquakes. -

Subject: Environmental Science:Natural Hazards:Earthquakes, Geoscience:Geology:Tectonics, Geophysics:Seismology
Resource Type: Activities:Classroom Activity:Short Activity:Demonstration

Simple Landslide Demo part of Cutting Edge:Introductory Courses:Activities
Demonstration of control of surface friction on slope stability. Simple analogue model uses a wooden board (the slope), a large rock (the landslide), and transparency and rough sand paper. Students anticipate how ...

Subject: Geoscience:Geology:Geomorphology, Geomorphology:Landforms/Processes:Mass Movement, Environmental Science:Natural Hazards:Mass Wasting
Resource Type: Activities:Classroom Activity

Earthquake Machine Demonstration part of Cutting Edge:Introductory Courses:Activities
This classroom activity is a demonstration where students predict what will happen under various conditions. The "Earthquake Machine" shows relationships between stress, strain, friction along the fault ...

Subject: Geoscience, Environmental Science:Natural Hazards:Earthquakes
Resource Type: Activities:Lab Activity, Classroom Activity

Drinking Water Quality: An Interdisciplinary Research Experience of Introductory Geology and Chemistry Classes part of Cutting Edge:Undergraduate Research:Case Studies
Robert Shuster, University of Nebraska at Omaha Summary At the University of Nebraska at Omaha, we have involved students in introductory Geology and Chemistry classes in an interdisciplinary study of drinking ...

Subject: Geoscience:Hydrology, Environmental Science:Water Quality and Quantity, Chemistry
Resource Type: Activities:Project

Environment and the Earth part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:Service Learning:Examples
The Environment and the Earth class at the University of South Carolina participated in a campus environmental service-learning project where students collected data lighting, water fixtures, recycling bins, and trash in five academic buildings.

Subject: Environmental Science:Energy:Efficiency and Energy Conservation, Environmental Science:Waste:Waste Solid :Waste Reduction/Recycling, Education, Environmental Science:Water Quality and Quantity:Water Conservation
Resource Type: Activities:Lab Activity, Project:Service Learning, Activities, Course Information

Natural Hazards and Catastrophes part of Quantitative Skills:Courses
1 credit hour course for non-scientists, with no pre-requisites. Aims to improve quantitative and scientific literacy through applying simple skills to topics including global climate change, earthquakes, volcanoes ...

Subject: Geoscience:Geology:Tectonics, Geoscience:Lunar and Planetary Science, Physics:Astronomy, Geoscience:Geology:Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology:Volcanology, Geoscience:Atmospheric Science:Climatology , Environmental Science:Natural Hazards:Earthquakes, Volcanism, Environmental Science:Natural Hazards
Resource Type: Course Information:Goals/Syllabi

Environmental Science 110 Laboratory part of Cutting Edge:Introductory Courses:Courses
Laboratory and field demonstration and exercises in environmental science. Weekly exercises or field trips.

Subject: Environmental Science
Resource Type: Course Information:Goals/Syllabi

Natural Hazards & Environment (ISP-203 B - 002) part of Cutting Edge:Geodesy:Courses
This is a geology majors/non-majors course that addresses the science and public policy issues related to tectonic and atmospheric hazards.

Subject: Environmental Science:Natural Hazards, Geoscience, Environmental Science:Policy
Resource Type: Course Information, :Goals/Syllabi