How to make your lectures interactive (MicroLab)

In this short blended course you will learn why it is important to keep your students engaged and active during your lecture, what type of activities you can use to achieve this, how to structure your interactive lecture and how to implement your plan into practice. The module consists of online preparation assignments, a workshop of half a day and an in-class observation. During the workshop you will work on designing your interactive lecture, but also on the delivery of an interactive lecture by practicing your theatre skills.

Target group and required prior knowledge        

This MicroLab is intended for lecturers who would like to make their lecture more interactive. We have designed the course in such a way that it is valuable for any number of students you will teach (small or large groups). No prior knowledge is required to participate in this MicroLab.

Goals/competencies

After following this MicroLab you will be able to:      

• Select active teaching and learning activities that match the aim of your lecture, target group and group size;
• Develop a learning process design and lesson plan for your lecture;
• Apply theatre techniques to keep the students’ attention during your lecture;
• Reflect upon your strengths and improvement points in lecturing.

Content, form and time investment    

Before attending the workshop we ask you to prepare and upload your assignments in the online Canvas module (2-3 hours). The workshop (4 hours) consist of two parts: in the first part we will focus on the design of an interactive lecture, the second part focuses on theatre skills. Theatre skills are perhaps not the first thing you think of when you think about active teaching methods for lectures, but it is an important aspect of interactive teaching. We will focus on presentation skills, posture, communication techniques, and interaction skills.

Assessment and badge   

The Proof of Competence consist of the following parts:

• Learning process design;
• Lesson plan;
• Reflection on the execution of the interactive lecture (including an observation).

You will get a CLI/Risbo certificate, a LinkedIn badge and a HR-registration of completion, when you’ve completed all three parts above.

Signing up for this MicroLab

You can register for this MicroLab by contacting Risbo (training@risbo.eur.nl). For EUR lecturers there will be no costs in participating in this MicroLab.