Twin principles of attendance policy are suggested to understand need-based attendance policies reported in literature for undergraduate medical education. In these reports, clinical sessions need compulsory attendance with remediation, nonclinical small group sessions need compulsory attendance with minimum attendance requirement and lectures…

This paper presents a model for teaching large classes that facilitates a "small class feel" to counteract the distance, anonymity, and formality that often characterize large lecture-style courses in higher education. One author (E. P.) has been teaching a 300-student general education critical thinking course for ten years, and the…

The authors describe several types of classroom assessment techniques (CATs) and cognitive scaffolding procedures that they have developed over the years. They then bring the procedures together in a sample lecture/group learning class presentation.

This chapter describes the history of case study teaching, types of cases, and experimental data supporting their effectiveness. It also describes a model for comparing the efficacy of the various case study methods. (Contains 1 figure.)

Technology is increasingly used to aid the teaching of statistics. Personal Response Systems (PRS) involve equipping students with a handset allowing them to send responses to questions put to them by a lecturer. PRS allows lectures to be more interactive and can help reinforce material. It can also allow the lecturer to monitor students'…

I discuss my experience with teaching an advanced undergraduate Real Analysis class using both lecturing and the small-group guided discovery method. The article is structured as follows. The first section is about the organizational and administrative components of the class. In the second section I give examples of successes and difficulties…

Having nonmajor general biology students teach each other in small groups helped improve student learning when compared to students in traditional lecture-based courses. This form of collaborative learning helped students with the lowest grades the most. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)

Students who chose to enroll in a supplemental course associated with a large biology lecture performed better on lecture exams than those students who chose not to enroll in the supplemental course. Sections of the supplemental course were taught with instructor-centered methods prior to some exams, student-centered methods prior to other exams,…

Describes a number of informal "turn-to-your-neighbor" approaches that create an active learning environment in college lecture settings. These include: launching class in discussion, breaking up the lecture for comprehension checks, closing class with small-group conversation, and debriefing exams. (DB)

The feedback lecture represents an attempt to address problems affecting traditional classroom lecture techniques. Typical complaints associated with the latter include boredom, one-way communication, problems with notetaking, pacing problems, lack of guidelines and outlines, lack of enthusiasm and student involvement, and an overload of detail to…

Describes the development of an integrated approach to using computer technology in a multiaged classroom with grades four and five that emphasizes the role of the teacher. The use of LOGO is discussed, and changing from a lecture format to helping small groups of students who are working independently is described. (LRW)

The experiences of a group of seven physicians and medical school faculty who wished to improve their instructional capacities are described by the educational psychologist who led the study group. The participants held appointments at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and had responsibility for teaching medical students in…

Problem areas with the curriculum at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Rutgers Medical School were identified: imbalance in class hours in the academic schedule, excessive number of lectures, and need for more small group sessions during the basic science education. (MLW)

Discusses methods of personalizing the large introductory college psychology class. Contrasts active learning by students with lecturing by professors. Suggests that separating the large class into smaller units can facilitate active learning. Argues that active learning also can be promoted in the large class setting. (SG)

Reports on a study conducted by a university geography department and its school of education. They divided a World Regional Geography class into two groups. One utilized the traditional lecture method; the other implemented a collaborative learning approach. No significant gain was realized at the conclusion of the study. (MJP)