Facilitating Learning in a TR+

In the TR+s at NTU, a model of pedagogy that is different from the traditional lecture/tutorial format needs to be adopted to optimize maximum use of the learning space.  Faculty will have to engage their students in their learning and facilitate communications with students in the collaborative classroom.  In facilitating learning in TR+, faculty need to encourage more interactivity in their classrooms and incorporate a more continuous flow of feedback between faculty and students. Faculty have to become aware of opportunities for students to be more participative and interactive in the classroom. Some of the following strategies will help faculty to better understand the dynamics of communication and facilitation in the new classroom spaces:

1.     Learning should be real-world connected

  • Students need to learn in contexts that are linked to real world scenarios and situations.
  • Content subject matter should be learnt in the context of real world problem solving.
  • Have learning experiences and activities for your students that are meaningful and engaging.

2.      Provide regular feedback

  •  Give students regular feedback on how well they are learning and suggest ways to help them enhance their learning efforts. This would motivate students to want to excel in their studies.
  • Get the students to work on the tutorial questions in groups in the TR+s and ensure that the groups are given opportunities to present their solutions for discussions.
  • In tackling the tutorial questions, discuss the correct answers instead of telling them outrightly the correct answer.

3.       Designing lessons in TR+

  • Structure your lesson to be implemented in more flexible and meaningful ways that reach out to a diverse range of students.
  • Monitor how well students’ are learning rather than be obsessed with covering pre-defined content.
  • Be flexible and adapt your teaching in alignment with the needs and preferences of your students.

4.       Questioning and communication skills

  • Be understanding and instead of dismissing students’ views, respond to any doubts or questions students may have.
  • Encourage students to be open-minded and embrace holistically multiple and even opposing perspectives to learn in more wholesome ways.
  • Employ questioning techniques to encourage students to reflect on their own assumptions and thinking patterns.

 

 

CELT offers a wide range of workshops to support faculty adoption of the TR+ to engage students and enhance learning outcomes. Workshop topics and duration can be customized for specific learning needs.

Please refer to http://edUtorium.ntu.edu.sg for schedule and registration.

For individual consultation on planning learning outcomes and aligned activities, please contact A/P Peter Looker, pdlookeratntu.edu.sg

 

Here are some examples of active learning strategies:

McGill University’s Teaching and Learning Experiences in Active Learning Classrooms: Highlights

Active Learning Classrooms (ALCs) are being used at McGill to enhance student engagement and active and collaborative learning. This video highlights how four McGill instructors in different disciplines have used the features of McGill’s Active Learning Classrooms to engage students and promote active and collaborative learning.
Strategies in making your classroom more engaged and active

Harvard Physics Professor Eric Mazur demonstrates “Peer Instruction” and “Just-In-Time” teaching techniques.