It is evident that large group teaching is changing. For instance, the traditional lecture where the student passively received information is being challenged. At the University of Bath we are seeing a wave of new technologies entering the lecture theatre. In particular, the use of SMS texting to submit free text questions, the use of Audience Response Systems to engage the student and provide feedback, the use of multimedia in the presentations, and the movement of didactic knowledge delivery to outside the lecture. This opens up the use of face to face time for more interactive small group working. These changes are transforming how people lecture. However, the use of these interactive technologies might result in some students not being able to engage in these activities. The aim of this project is to work with a number of key stakeholders to develop a set of effective practice guidelines that can inform on how to design these highly interactive large group teaching sessions to be as inclusive as possible.

An underlying principle is that students will use the technologies that are owned and appropriate to them and not those prescribed by the institution. Therefore, in a world of wireless access in lecture rooms, we will need to consider a wide range of devices to ensure our recommendations work effectively. Many of these we already own, however some we don’t, hence the capital spending requirements.

We will consult with the Learning Support Unit to better understand how students with a range of disabilities currently participate in lecture based teaching. In particular, what assistive technologies are they using, what should be in the effective practice guide to ensure this student group is not marginalised through the changing model of large group teaching.

Run a number of focus groups with students with a range of disabilities, recruited through the Learning Support Unit, to inform the development team about their perceptions and any anxieties about the changing model of large group teaching.

Develop a number of different learning scenarios for large group teaching based on a range of current practices with a number of lecturers. These scenarios will be based upon current effective practice and pilot the use of our effective practice guidelines. Finally, evaluate these with students through student interviews and surveys.