Teaching Large Lecture Courses: Sample Course Challenges as New Instructor Discussion Sections Working with TAs Capitalizing on Technology

Sample Course Introduction to Clinical Psychology 300 students, 2.5 TAs, 10 weekly sections Exams, writing assignments, participation

Challenges as New Instructor Engaging students in lecture Teaching tough material Figuring out local norms Problems/Questions DEO, DGS, DUS, senior colleagues

Discussion Sections Potential Goals Format Change Review lecture material Apply lecture material Discuss lecture material Present new material Format Change Smaller class size More opportunity for discussion, questions, interactive exercises

Discussion Sections Section Materials Miscellaneous Prepare written description of section content and activities Review with TAs, seek feedback b/f and after section Miscellaneous Consider evals third of way through semester https://icon.uiowa.edu/support/onlinehelp/tools/surveys/ Attend section of each TA

Working with TAs TA Roles and Responsibilities Weekly Meetings Explicit discussion prior to class TAs are authority figures and part of teaching team Hierarchical relationship with prof Problems: go to DEO, DGS, senior colleague Weekly Meetings What going well What problems have arisen Discussion of how to teach, how to deal with problems, how to create materials, how to grade, how to interact with students, etc. Be available to TAs in btw meetings

Working with TAs Writing Assignments Difficulty level Assignment content: clarity exceptionally important Grading criteria: provide detailed, concrete rubric to students ahead of time Grading consistently across TAs Review and modify criteria b/f giving to students Meet with TAs after look at 10 papers to discuss problems Identify who makes final decisions TA morale

Capitalizing on Technology ICON Announcements, readings, lecture slides, grades, dropbox (turnitin) Online Discussions https://icon.uiowa.edu/support/onlinehelp/tools/discussio ns/ https://icon.uiowa.edu/support/onlinehelp/tools/chat/ Quizzes/Practice https://icon.uiowa.edu/support/onlinehelp/tools/quizzes/ Clickers http://its.uiowa.edu/support/srs/teaching.shtml