23. How to Stimulate
Learning in Large Classes
Presenters: Joann R. Segovia, Minnesota State University
Karla Jensen, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Description: This session
provides techniques to enhance the teaching effectiveness and learning in large
classes. Suggestions address the following areas:
(1) Classroom rules and
regulations
(2) Classroom environment
(3) Variety in teaching techniques
(4) Instructor commitment and availability
These techniques provide various
ways for instructors to improve and enhance the delivery of materials with the
goal of increasing student motivation to learn in larger classes. Researchers
have found that teaching a large lecture class in a creative, well-organized,
enthusiastic manner is as effective as teaching a small class. This session
answers the question, how does an instructor become outstanding in delivering
materials to large classes?
The first Position Statement of the
AECC states that accounting education should provide a base to build lifelong
learning through the development of communications, intellectual, and
interpersonal skills. The AECC states "students should be taught the
skills and strategies that help them to learn more effectively and how to use
these effective learning strategies to continue to learn throughout their
lifetimes. Students must be active participants in the learning process, not
passive recipients of information." This session provides techniques to
develop more active learning strategies in large classes rather than using a
lecture format.
