GOOD PRACTICE GUIDANCE
These practical tips help to ensure smooth running of classroom learning activities that incorporate use of technologies:
Activity handouts
Note that a 'paper free' classroom may reduce students' ability to take notes on their devices simultaneously when taking part in learning activities; it may be worth encouraging students to use a traditional notebook to use alongside their device or to view resources on a second screen such as their smart-phone.
Before the session
Whether students need to use pens, notebooks, phones or laptops – aim to have a back-up plan, it may be worth preparing:
- tweaks to the activity, to allow students to pair with others who do have the necessary equipment
- 'paper' alternatives to digital activities, such as a slide containing alternative instructions for students using their own notepaper.
It may be useful to contact your students in advance to let them know about the equipment they need for the planned learning activities, and remind them to charge devices before the session. Charging phones or laptops during classroom activities can cause significant session disruption!
Running classroom discussion activities
Participating in seminars and working with other students is an important part of university study, which usually involves group discussion of material presented either in a live session or asynchronous learning resource. You may need to:
- Let students know about upcoming discussion activities, so they are able to prepare effectively.
- Signpost advice for students, to improve their skills and confidence to take part in discussion activities. Study support provides information to help students prepare for seminars, speak up in a group, deal with questions and improve speaking and listening skills.
- Provide questions on presentation slides or downloadable worksheet, to keep students on task. Indicate timings for the discussion (you may even display a timer).
- Ask students to nominate a person to deliver feedback on behalf of their group.
Discussion activities may need adjustment when considering:
- Room layout - if students are observing social distance they may speak at a louder volume than needed, resulting in overall increased class volume. You may need to remind students to speak clearly and at normal volume,
- Students who are wearing face-coverings - lip reading aids understanding (and may be relied upon by some students to participate), so take note and consider allowing a little extra time for students to communicate effectively.
- Students' feedback - take note to help inform your planning of activity length, frequency and structure.
The university provides pedagogic guidance for effectively running learning activities in on-campus classroom spaces (see below). Please note:
- Although accurate at time of publication, updated functional information regarding ‘free/freemium’ apps can be found on providers official websites and user plans. Please also take into account university guidelines regarding use of third party tools.
- The guides may refer to technologies that are not fully supported by CQSD TEL. See the TEL Learning Activities homepage for a table of CQSD TEL approved tools and support details.
Aligning space and pedagogy provides guidance on designing learning activities for specific seating configurations. In a face-to-face on campus teaching you may be in a lecture theatre, lab or other designated teaching room.
If looking for suggestions to adapt learning activities for different delivery modes, see these common learning activities translated into asynchronous, live online and live-person teaching scenarios. Note: you can find a full list of centrally supported learning technologies and a selection of approved third party tools on the Designing Learning Activities homepage.