Transcript Teaching Methods.

Teaching methods:
Teaching methods differ but you can expect at least some of the
following.
Lectures
These vary according to course and subject
but in general, expect:
*size: 50-300 people
*length: 1-3 hours
*weekly: 5-20 hours
*no individual attention.
There is usually a set of lectures for each unit or option. You are likely to be with
different students for each unit.
Lectures are used to give an overview of the topic. Usually, students listen and take
notes whilst lecturers speak or read from notes, write on a board, or project
information onto an overhead screen.
Some lecturers encourage questions and include activities; other do not .
Occasionally, lectures are delivered on video or transmitted from another campus.
Tutorials
These are usually used to give feedback on your work and discuss your general
progress. It may be the only time that a lecturer is able to you with study problems,
so it is important to prepare your questions in advance.
*size: in small groups or on an individual basis
*length: usually an hour at most
*frequency: possibly one or two per term.
Seminars
These usually involve group discussion of material presented either in a lecture or
in a lecture or in set reading.
Often, a student (or a group of students) is asked to begin the discussion by making
a presentation. It is important to through lecture notes and background reading.
Even if you are not asked to make the presentation yourself.
*size: 12030 people
*length: 103 hours
*weekly: varies _ perhaps 1-3 each week.
Other teaching styles used at university
Colleges are becoming more flexible in the ways they teach,
so you may experience a wide range of teaching styles,
including some or all of the following.
Group work
This could be for discussion or mutual support, or
to undertake a joint project. Students are often
expected to form their own support groups.
Work placements
Foundation degrees and vocation courses require students to spend time on
work placement. While there, they may be supervised by a lecture from the collage
or by somebody at the workplace- or a mixture of the two.
Laboratory work, studio work and practical
Science students may spend most of their time doing practical work in
laboratories; fine arts students may work predominantly in studio space they are
allocated at the university. The amount of practical work of this kind will depend
on the course.
Distance learning
Students on some courses work mostly at home. Materials are either sent by
post or over the Internet. Contact with tutors may be by letter, by e-mail
video conferencing at a local center, on in local meetings
Independent study
This is the most common and possibly most challenging feature of
university study. Apart from timetabled elements such as lectures almost
all courses expect students to work on their own for the rest of the week.
Seeing your lecturers
University lecturers are likely are to be much less available than your school or college.
Teaching is only one of their responsibilities. They may undertake research, and
examine or lecture at other universities. They may also be consultants outside the
university. Some are contracted for only a few hours a week.
A tutor may have a great many students to see.
For all of these reasons, you may need to book an appointment well in
advance.
lecturers varied approaches
University subject areas or departments have their own traditions , and
Even individual
Lecture may have strong personal tastes in how things should be done. You need to be
Alert to things and notice your lecturers preferences.