Managing small classrooms
The management of small group teaching encompasses both asynchronous and synchronous modes as well as hybrid forms of teaching. Small group classes provide an ideal opportunity to explore ideas and topics in depth. Active learning strategies can be utilised to promote high levels of student engagement and interest.
How do I do it?
The Higher Education Academy (now known as Advance HE) identifies four key aspects of small group teaching.
- Flexibility. The format enables teachers to open up spaces for learning that are contextually relevant and open to contributions and perspectives from individual students.
- Interaction. It is a format that is suited to the development and construction of knowledge. Meaning is negotiated and perspectives are questioned and interrogated. Peer and formative feedback is part of the learning experience.
- Reflexivity. The format provides an opportunity to reflect on teaching practice and to make iterative improvements over time based on reflective practice.
- Engagement. It has the potential to blur the line between teacher and student and to create forms of dialogic learning that create rich learning opportunities for students and teachers.
View the outline on small group teaching from the Higher Education Academy.
