1. Modes of Teaching 1: teaching small groups – the seminar/workshop
Dr Jamie Wood
University of Lincoln
@woodjamie99
History New To Teaching
IHR London
12th September 2017

2. A starting point – students
Are at university for different reason
Have different skills, knowledge, attitudes, interests
Do not necessarily learn or think like you (or like each other)
Telling ≠ learning
Assume nothing
1- They are (probably) younger
They are (probably) at university for different reasons
They are (probably) not in the top 5-10%(!)
2- So, don’t expect them to study or think about their learning in the same way as you do/ did
3- Just because you’ve told the students something doesn’t mean that they will have learnt it

3. Activity 1: What is a Seminar?
You have 2 minutes
1- Write responses to either or both questions on a post-it (1 post-it per response):
What is a seminar?
What isn’t a seminar?
2- Stick post-its on your table and cluster your responses into thematic groups
Groups 1-4
Number out folks at registration
1-In pairs
2- Post it note for each response – do not cluster all responses on one

4. Working Assumptions Seminars are about…
Giving students active learning experiences
Getting students to do something (including thinking)
Reinforcing and developing learning
Practising and improving skills
Introducing new ideas
Feeding-back and ‘feeding-forward’ (you and students)
Discussing, debating and socialising
Checking, correcting & developing understanding
Supporting lectures

5. Back to Basics - DOs Have a plan/ structure (aims and objectives)
What are you and the students going to do?
In class; before; after
How long will it take? Be realistic
What do you want the students to get out of the class?
How does this relate to the module as a whole?
Variety is good
Students learn in different ways so varying activities (at home and in class) increases engagement

6. Back to Basics – DON’Ts Try to do too much
2 activities will probably be enough for a 50 minute session
Have 3 or 4 points (or even less) that you want the students to take away from the seminar
Rely on students to be ‘active’
Be prepared with stuff for them to do

7. Planning a Seminar – 1 Activity 2 – 20 min
In small groups plan a seminar/ workshop
Groups will choose different scenarios, which are in the envelope on the table
Use the flipchart paper to represent your plan
What are you and the students are going to do? Why?

8. Planning a Seminar – 2 You will have 3 minutes to feed back…
Seminar Plan (as a poster), addressing the following, after outlining the scenario:
What are your aims for this class?
What the students will do and for how long?
How will you start and end?
What problem(s) do you foresee and how will you overcome them?
You will have 3 minutes to feed back…
You should write your seminar plan on a piece of flipchart paper and be ready to present it back (for max. 5 minutes, including an overview of the scenario you were given) to the rest of group in 30 minutes

9. Tips & Tricks Remember the social aspect of the group
Silence is your friend!
Physical aspect of the room
Be flexible & adapt
Bring extra activities
Don’t be afraid to leave the room
Create ‘charters’

10. Points to Ponder – Self
Develop your persona as a ‘teacher’ – don’t just copy your own teachers
Show off your passions and expertise
Model skills and behaviours
Use your peers
Two sessions will never be the same...