International Student Orientation

Making the Most of

Lectures & Tutorials

School of Education

Welcome to the University of Adelaide and this lecture

I’m sure you’ll find university life:◦ exciting ◦ stimulating◦ a little challenging

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

Welcome!

Welcome to Adelaide!

I would like to get to know you a little more:

◦ Where is home for you?

◦ What are you studying?

Getting to know you

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

International Student Transition

Watch the following video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwxmPrBdIcQ

Active Learning

Contact and interaction with:◦ The University

Its teachers Other students

In:◦ Lectures

◦ Tutorials

◦ Workshops

◦ Labs

Lecture Overview

Format – large◦ In lecture theatres◦ Often technology is used:

microphones, PowerPoint, overheads

Teaching philosophy◦ Expert model◦ Passive◦ Teacher centred◦ Information-transmission

Contact and Interaction - Lectures

Access to expert lecturer (Professors etc.)

Therefore, access to specific knowledge and information

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.

Benefits of Lecture Format

Very intensive – takes a lot of attention and focus (don’t fall asleep!)

mna.wordpress.com (2014)

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

Drawbacks of Lecture Format

truthdig.com (2014)

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

How to make the most of Lectures

?

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

Note-making: review your notes within a day or two of the lecture ◦ Make notes which emphasise important points and

the relationships between them

Use your own method: use arrows, highlighters, numbers, sections ◦ Represent the ideas visually

Notes In Lectures

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

Contact and Interaction - Small Groups

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

Small Groups - Teaching Philosophy

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!)

You can actually apply the knowledge you have learned in other formats

You can critique ideas, disagree and have more of a say

Small Groups – benefits

Due to funding pressures smaller groups are becoming larger

This means that it is easier to fade into the background and not do any work

It is much more confronting and can be scary – so try to be confident!

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

Smaller Groups – drawbacks

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

Most of all, speak up! This is your chance to get the most value for money

Hint: your tutor/teacher/lecturer will like you if you work hard in class and participate

Making the most of smaller groups

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

Different Small-Group formats

Usually called

tutes

Laboratories

◦ Science-based

◦ A little larger than most tutorials, and tend to be longer

◦ Focus on processes: using equipment, conducting experiments

◦ Run by demonstrators

Different Small-Group formats

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)

Laboratory Health and Safetyen.wikipedia.org (2014)

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

Different Small-Group formats

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.

Different Small-Group formats

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

Symposium

◦ Papers made available prior to event for review

◦ Discussion forum (with respondents)

More advanced formats

Any questions?

Writing Centre

◦ Location: Level 3, Hub Central East

◦ Website: www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre

Need Further Help?

Copyright © 2014 The University of Adelaide

International Student Orientation

Making the Most ofLectures & Tutorials

School of Education