Classroom Teaching

“Facilitating effective learning experiences”

Strategies for an Interactive Face-to-Face Learning Environment

A photo of the back of students sitting in a classroom with a person presenting in the background.

Classroom teaching has come a long way from the traditional lecture format where the professor reads from their lecture notes for the entire class time. Though lecture can be effective in delivering content at times, getting students involved in the teaching process is one of the best ways to encourage learning. There are a variety of strategies that instructors can implement to encourage interactive learning in a classroom setting, including online components, group projects, slide presentations, application exercises, role playing games, service learning projects, and classroom discussion.

Facilitating Classroom Discussion: A Guide

A photograph of three students sitting together around a desk with one student raising a hand.

One of the most effective ways to promote learning with students is through a well-facilitated class discussion. In interacting with the instructor and their peers, students learn how to develop their point of view while comparing what they think to what others think. Students can learn how to communicate with others, even in the presence of disagreement. Instructors can make this kind of learning possible by planning classroom discussions ahead of time, building an inclusive environment, setting clear expectations, and asking the right questions.

Comparing Teaching Roles: Instructor vs. Student Perspectives

A photo of a male teacher standing in front of a chalkboard with calculus equations written on it.

While teaching involves multiple skills such as leadership, facilitation, organization, and management, much of what teachers do in the classroom is built on relationships with students. These relationships are integral to teaching and learning and while  much of the relationship-building that goes on in a classroom may be intuitive, this article asks you to think more deeply about how you build and maintain relationships among and with students in your classroom.

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