At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NY), some introductory science and engineering classes are taught in "studios," where students work on problems on computers, followed by a mini-lecture or summary and class discussion. The method replaces impersonal large-group lectures with less expensive, more effective instruction and more…

A discussion of teaching assistants (TAs) in the law school looks at the TA's cognitive and affective roles and effective ways to use TAs to reinforce usual forms of learning in the large class; introduce a broadened range of materials, skills, and learning methods; and transform the large class experience. (MSE)

Examined the practices and experiences of three elementary-level physical education teachers as they attempted to provide quality learning experiences to large classes of students. Data from lesson observations and interviews indicated that while the teachers provided high quality instruction, they were working under considerable hardship and had…

Describes a simulation exercise designed to illustrate the influence of founder effects, genetic drift, and gene flow. Also presents strategies for using cooperative learning in large lecture settings. (WRM)

Defines the concept of large classes with particular reference to the teaching of English for specific purposes at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, in Nigeria. Examines the problems of large classes faced by language teachers in the university and adoption of the team-teaching approach as a means of overcoming their problems. (Author/VWL)

Examines arguments for "focus on form," a term referring to the incorporation of implicit grammar instruction within communicative English-as-a-Second-Language lessons, and suggests ways to adapt this approach to English-as-a-foreign-language settings where grammar instruction has never left the classroom. Several types of form-focused activities…

Discusses the main dimensions of effective teaching as identified in research, as well as particular teaching strategies that are effective but rarely used in law school classes. These strategies include increasing clarity, increasing course and lesson organization, maintaining students' attention and concentration, and promoting a positive…

Investigates the differences in academic achievement and performance for two groups of at-risk students in large and small group instructional settings when activity-based informal collaboration is applied as a teaching method. Includes 40 references. (YDS)

UK national initiatives in education, such as the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies, have been implemented to improve learning and raise standards. These initiatives place considerable significance on whole class interactive teaching, and political rhetoric makes great play of this pedagogic strategy. Teachers have been encouraged to use…

This study examined the perception of the university lecturers on the effectiveness of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) In teaching undergraduate students in large classes. One hundred lecturers randomly selected from University of Lagos, Nigeria constituted the sample for the study. The data generated through a self-designed questionnaire was…

Online courses continue to gain popularity at colleges and universities, with a primary tool for demonstrating critical thinking and interaction being the discussion forum. Instructors and students of online courses are faced with the dilemma of sifting through potentially hundreds of postings when all students are placed within a forum. The…

This study examined the impact of cooperative learning activities on student achievement and attitudes in large-enrollment (greater than 250) introductory biology classes. We found that students taught using a cooperative learning approach showed greater improvement in their knowledge of course material compared with students taught using a…

In addition to experiencing the generic quality and cost problems faced by all colleges and universities, community colleges face problems particular to their student populations. They need to design more flexible schedules for working adult students, create a greater sense of community or engagement for commuting students, address the special…

These proceedings contain the papers of the 10th International Conference on Mobile Learning 2014, which was organised by the International Association for Development of the Information Society, in Madrid, Spain, February 28-March 2, 2014. The Mobile Learning 2014 International Conference seeks to provide a forum for the presentation and…

This article presents strategies that promote responsive instruction of young children with diverse abilities during teacher-directed large group times, specifically "circle time." It uses a traditional circle time format to show how such typical activities as observing the weather can be modified to provide multisensory, multilevel, and…