Teaching large classes at college and university level: challenges and opportunities

The past decade has seen a substantial increase in the enrolment figures of tertiary level colleges and universities in OECD countries and it is predicted that this increase will continue. One of the likely consequences of these increases is the maintenance and/or increase of class sizes in colleges and universities, especially at undergraduate level. It is clear from the research literature that large classes at tertiary level create particular problems for staff and students alike, many of which can contribute to less effective teaching and learning. Lecturing still remains the predominant teaching approach in the context of large group undergraduate teaching. However, there is evidence that other teaching approaches that focus on making large group teaching more active and student centered are also being used. More active teaching approaches may go some way towards addressing some of the problems that are being encountered in the context of large group teaching. Support for and training of college teachers and further research is needed in this context.

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