Teaching Assistants' Training Program

Description

The university lecture is considered an art form by many, and for good reason: it can be a challenging and perplexing task to combine the talents of scholar, entertainer, teacher and orator. The “Effective Lecturing” workshop aims to demystify the lecture and offers instructors a framework for developing and delivering clear, engaging, and memorable lectures. The workshop leads participants through the creation of a “lecture toolkit,” with the ultimate objective of improving students’ learning experience through effective lecturing all while avoiding some common pitfalls. We will discuss and practice effective lesson planning to better manage the development and organization of lecture content. We will also explore general lecturing principles, and participants will adapt strategies for delivering and energizing their lectures. Moreover, by learning to structure a lecture as a student-centered activity, participants will identify ways to inspire, motivate and engage their students. Finally, we will introduce the use of formative feedback as a tool for verifying students’ learning and for assessing the impact of one’s teaching.