Sam Richards makes the lecture hall an exciting place. System of engaging lecture, with small discussion groups run by facilitator and reflections in blog posts. Uses http://www.polleverywhere.com/ – run some polling in your class. (How about that for radical simplicity).
1100 students surveyed about their experience with large lecture courses:
40% say large classes are as enriching as the small classes.
60% it is common to read directly from notes or slides.
40% say it is uncommon to be asked to express their views in a large lecture class.
5% say their instructor in heir large lecture class appear nervous or uncomfortable. (perhaps teachers teach in a way that makes themselves most comfortable)
80% could not disagree with the statement that their large lecture instructors “teach in a way that is boring and does not capture attention.”
60% think that the faculty are savvy about using social media.
75% want faculty to use social tech in classes.
35% think faculty are, another 20% are on the fence about saying that we are.
7 out of 8 think they would learn more or expect to learn more if professors utilize social media ad web 2.0 technologies.