Expanding class sizes: transformative innovations in the student learning experience

Abstract

Between June 2016 and December 2017 the project investigator (PI) will lead two courses, one at undergraduate level and the other at post-graduate level, doubling in size to become large classes of over 80 students. The prospect of continuing to foster interest, academic engagement and participation in this new teaching and learning environment is daunting, raising the immediate question of how to make a large class feel smaller. A cursory glance at the literature and best practice on the topic suggests that, on the positive side, students might feel safe in the anonymity of a large group of students but, on the negative side, could feel anxious about actively participating for fear of embarrassment. The proposed project intends to explore the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the large scale teaching environment with a view to retaining the transformative potential of the student learning experience. The process of investigation aims to creatively transform the student learning experience through a critical reflective case study account of the two courses as they are revised to achieve broader departmental and university objectives.