Classroom and Pedagogical Techniques

Interested in specific instructional strategies to enhance student engagement and learning in the classroom? A framework for successful lesson delivery consists of six parts:

1. Gaining the students' attention and establishing expectations.
2. Reviewing relevant, previously-learned material.
3. Presenting the new information by linking it to previous learning.
4. Providing learning guidance or elaboration.
5. Providing time for practice and feedback.
6. Providing for spaced practice to enhance retention.

Designing Online (and in-class!) Discussions
Determine the role of questions, examine common problems, and motivate students to participate by reading our Designing Online (and in-class!) Discussions article. Although primarily aimed at online instructors, the information you'll find there is easily adaptable to the face-to-face classroom.

Teaching Large Classes
For strategies, guidelines and resources for creating interactive environments, successful lectures, and managing the large classroom, read our article Teaching Large Classes.

Problem-Based Learning
Engage students in problem-solving activities by employing problem-based learning, a strategy you can read about in the Problem-Based Learning article.

Team-Based Learning
To engage students and keep them accountable for course content, team-based learning is a highly successful "flipped classroom" technique. Read more about it in our Team-Based Learning article.

Writing as a Learning Activity
Written assignments often reveal deficiencies in student writing that, while not specifically related to course objective, can still affect the quality of submitted work. Fortunately, the FSU Reading-Writing Center provides online, synchronous tutoring sessions for distance students. When giving writing assignments, you may wish to include a link to the center and direct students to use their appointment-making tool to set up a tutoring session.

In-Depth Resources
Several chapters from the ODL document Instruction at FSU: A Guide to Teaching & Learning Practices are particularly relevant -- especially Chapter 11: Teaching Contexts. You will also find useful information in the following chapters:

• Chapter 4: Knowing Your Students
• Chapter 5: Managing Students & the Classroom Climate
• Chapter 6: Especially for TA’s
• Chapter 7: Lecturing Effectively
• Chapter 8: Using Active Learning in the Classroom