Effective Teaching in Large STEM Classes

This book provides an accessible and research-informed introduction to teaching large classes, aimed at teachers from across the STEM subjects, at all stages of their careers, who want to provide the most effective teaching and learning experiences for their students. A central theme throughout is that active learning is an important aspect of good-quality teaching. This is explored in detail through both practical guidance for implementing such techniques as well as through an accessible introduction to the theoretical and pedagogical issues that underpin its use, supported by case studies. The text provides an introduction for university teachers interested in using approaches such as the flipped classroom, and offers discussion on how to quantify activities within classrooms through observation tools, and what the future of teaching large classes might look like.

Key Features

• Provides a practical guide to effective teaching of large classes in STEM subjects at university level


• Takes an evidence-based approach and synthesises the theoretical and pedagogical issues that are important for teachers to understand


• Provides an overview of the literature supporting active learning approaches


• Discusses the flipped classroom, strategies for introducing interactivity into classes, and the use of technology such as electronic voting systems


• Includes the role of assessment in large classes


• Proposes a view of the future of large classes, including the role of hybrid teaching