Shifting the balance between teaching and learning: integrating assessment into the dynamic classroom

Shared characteristics

All examples:

• Fully integrate teaching with independent study tasks and assessment;
• Involve some level of peer dialogue, explanation or assessment;
• Involve practising ‘must have’ skills for 21st century graduates

Student responses to active learning

• Perseverance (in the face of moans) has been shown to elicit positive responses from students (e.g. Spanish example, Prof. Mazur);
• Stage your expectations (e.g. presentations);
• Explain educational philosophy;

• Align teaching with assessment;

Issues for lecturers

Discussion: What drives our teaching methods?

Possible reasons:

• Lecturers are not familiar with alternative methods;
• There is a lack of training (or people don’t take it up);
• There is a concern to focus on research;
• It is not rewarded by the institution?
• Confidence
• workload
• ‘Coveritis’
• Other