The tips in this handbook are meant as suggestions to promote active learning in large classes. Keep the following in mind:

Big Picture Goal: Fostering Active Learning

Active learning means that students are engaged in processing the information being presented, not just passively receiving it. Research shows that techniques that promote active learning lead to better student performance. Teaching situations vary and what works for one instructor in one classroom may not be as effective in another situation. The tips included here come from faculty in several disciplines. Some of the methods may be appropriate for a particular subject or group of students, but may not mesh well with an individual instructor's personality. Feel free to adapt the tips to suit your style and subject.

Experiment

Many of the suggestions in the following sections call for instructors to play roles different from the ones they may be used to. When using a technique such as cooperative learning (see page 17) for the first time, you might try it for test review or with material that you have already taught. Remember, students may also need time to adjust to a new teaching technique.

Developing Large Class Activities Takes Time and Experience

Many students will appreciate your effort to be an effective instructor, even if those efforts are not initially as successful as you had hoped. Ultimately, you must decide what works and what doesn't for your teaching style, course goals, and students.

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