Instructional Resources

Alternatives to Lecturing

Introduction

Lectures are often one way communication events. However, we know that when learners participate in class, they tend to retain the information and better understand the topic. The following provides just a very small sample of the multitude of activities that can complement lectures.

Activities

Self-created, short instructional video

Benefits

  • Many software options are available
  • Can focus on a single topic
  • Great for demonstrations
  • Learners can watch on their schedule
  • Repeated views are possible
  • Webcam Recording Tips

Tips

  • Practice before you do your recording
  • Record is good lighting and remove any distracting visuals from the background
  • See self-recording lectures

Self-created audio

Benefits

  • Built-in audio recorders are readily available
  • Files are generally small
  • Can embed audio clips into a content page that includes visuals

Tips

  • Prepare yourself to avoid rambling
  • Be concise and focused
  • Check for background noise
  • Practice with the technology
  • Pause after you hit record before you start to speak. Similarly, pause after you finish speaking before you hit stop. This will avoid chopping off parts of sentences.
  • Do a 20 second test recording and make adjustments as required
  • Consider providing a transcript of your audio

Visuals

Benefits

  • Images and diagrams help learners to understand a concept.
  • Concept maps, especially if built collaboratively, can help clarify challenging content.

Tips

  • Be aware of copyright of images and give attribution where appropriate.

Communication

Benefits

  • Communication is important in remote and online learning. It helps keep both learners and instructors informed of issues, progress, triumphs, challenges, etc.
  • Can delve deep into a topic. Learners tend to gain more knowledge through the active participation.

Discussion

Microblogging (ie, Twitter)

Instant Messaging (IM)

Chat

Collaborative Interaction

Benefits

  • Enables and encourages learners to become involved in, and take responsibility for their learning.
  • Helps build social presence among class members which is vital in remote (and online) instruction.
  • Ways to Engage Your Students Synchronously

Think Pair Share

Jigsaw Technique

Fish Bowl

Accountable Talk

Review Activities

Benefits

  • Having learners active in their review gives them the opportunity to determine how much they know and understand in a no stakes environment.

Two Minute Memo

Jeopardy Game

Visual Summary

Word Cloud

Polling

Question Formulation Technique

Reflection

Interactive Learning Objects

References

Resource created by: Daph C.

Originally Published: April 15, 2020

Last Updated: July 16, 2024