Transcript Effective Writing at University

International Student Orientation
Making the Most of
Lectures & Tutorials
School of Education
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Welcome to the University of Adelaide and this
lecture
I’m sure you’ll find university life:
◦ exciting
◦ stimulating
◦ a little challenging
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This lecture aims to outline some key aspects
of lecture formats and small-group formats,
and how you can make the most of every
learning opportunity
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Welcome to Adelaide!
I would like to get to know you
a little more:
◦ Where is home for you?
◦ What are you studying?
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What do you think are the major differences
between learning in your home country and
learning in Australia?
◦ Role of teacher
◦ Student-centred approach
◦ Critical thinking
◦ Active learning
◦ Independent learning
Watch the following video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwxmPrBdIcQ
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Contact and interaction with:
◦ The University
 Its teachers
 Other students
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In:
◦ Lectures
◦ Tutorials
◦ Workshops
◦ Labs
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Format – large
◦ In lecture theatres
◦ Often technology is used:
microphones, PowerPoint, overheads
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Teaching philosophy
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Expert model
Passive
Teacher centred
Information-transmission
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Access to expert lecturer (Professors etc.)
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Therefore, access to specific knowledge and
information
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Most efficient way for getting across large amounts
of information
◦ Humanities: background information on an author, theory
or historical period etc.
◦ Sciences: detailed information on a theory, process or
formulae etc.
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Very intensive – takes a lot of attention and focus
(don’t fall asleep!)
mna.wordpress.com (2014)
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Focus on facts and information rather than
applications and critiques
Passive – you are not so engaged, can’t usually ask
questions and process the information for yourself
Traditional – you are expected to soak up the
information and be able to regurgitate it on
demand
truthdig.com (2014)
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Given that lectures tend to be a passive
format, you need to be active! This means:
◦ Preparing:
make sure you have done all the readings and
come prepared with some questions you hope
to have answered
?
◦ Engaging with the material:
identify things you don’t understand and note
them down, note questions you want to ask
later
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Note-taking: take notes of important points
and references to books etc.
◦ Don’t write down the details; note things you will want
to be reminded of later; note questions and areas for
further exploration
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Note-making: review your notes within a day or
two of the lecture
◦ Make notes which emphasise important points and the
relationships between them
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Use your own method: use arrows, highlighters,
numbers, sections
◦ Represent the ideas visually
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The other main form of contact is small groups:
◦ Tutorials
◦ Laboratories
◦ Workshops
◦ Seminars
As the name suggests, they are smaller – they used
to be 8-10 but are now growing to 15-20+
Small groups are usually linked to lecture material,
so you can prepare for both at the same time
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Small groups are very different to large group
formats. They are:
◦ Student-centred
◦ Active
◦ Non-expert model
◦ Based on development and learning rather than
information transmission
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The student to teacher ratio is much smaller
so there is more space for you to ask
questions and discuss ideas
You can relate to other students and see
how they’re processing the material (you can
also make friends!)
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You can actually apply the knowledge you
have learned in other formats
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You can critique ideas, disagree and have
more of a say
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Due to funding pressures smaller groups are
becoming larger
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This means that it is easier to fade into the
background and not do any work
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It is much more confronting and can be scary –
so try to be confident!
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Remember – if you have a question, probably half
the class is also wondering the same thing, so
speak up!
If you are shy, try to make the most of it by being
active, taking notes, and reflecting on the class
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Again, prepare! Do the readings, look at the
class exercises and have a bit of a think about
them, review your lecture notes
Be active and engaged – take notes in class
too:
write down questions, ideas, comments, things
you want to look up later
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Most of all, speak up! This is your chance to
get the most value for money
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Hint: your tutor/teacher/lecturer will like you if
you work hard in class and participate
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Tutorials:
◦ Led by a tutor
◦ Focus on discussion (course content,
lecture, readings, etc)
◦ Aim: to further develop understanding of
and engagement in the course
◦ Students are expected to prepare and
participate
Usually called
tutes
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Laboratories
◦ Science-based
◦ A little larger than most tutorials, and
tend to be longer
◦ Focus on processes: using equipment,
conducting experiments
◦ Run by demonstrators
Laboratory Health and Safety
en.wikipedia.org (2014)
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Pay close attention when safety procedures are
being specified and always follow them exactly
Treat all equipment, chemicals, samples with care
and respect
Don’t take food or beverages into a lab
(unless they’re part of your experiment!)
Wear protective clothing when appropriate, and
especially wear appropriate shoes
(sturdy, closed-in with non-slip sole)
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Workshops:
◦ Like tutorials, but even more active
(i.e. you do work)
◦ You will often be asked to complete a piece
of work or bring one with you
◦ You will then share it with others in the
workshop
◦ Example: creative writing workshop
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Seminars
◦ Focus on one person, who is usually another
student
◦ This person will do an oral presentation, and
will present a paper that they have usually
prepared before
◦ Afterwards they will open the floor for
discussion amongst other students
◦ Example: literary analysis – respondents etc.
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Conferences (experts in a field)
◦ Papers: like a seminar – 20-minutes presentation
followed by questions
◦ Posters: on display and author is available to
answer questions at a specific time
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Symposium
◦ Papers made available prior to event for review
◦ Discussion forum (with respondents)
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Any questions?
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Writing Centre
◦ Location: Level 3, Hub Central East
◦ Website: www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre
International Student Orientation
Making the Most of
Lectures & Tutorials
School of Education
Copyright © 2014 The University of Adelaide