Teaching a large class can be challenging. The important thing is to provide a learning environment where each student is engaged in the learning process. One of the most useful strategies for effectively doing this is through cooperative learning using one of my favorite strategies, Kagan Structures. What’s special about Kagan Structures is that they are built around principals that develop individual and group learning at the same. The skills that they help develop include class building, teambuilding, communication skills, thinking skills, information sharing skills, and mastery skills. They are also designed to work with all of the multiple intelligences while improving time management skills and therefore are a really great solution for large classes.
One example of a Kagan Structure is Think–Pair–Share in which students have individual time to think about a question related to the topic of study before pairing up with a partner to share their thoughts and then working with their partner to select one idea to share with the entire class. This structure helps teachers organize group work and improves many different skills at the same time in a very simple and easy way. Working on their own to solve a problem or answer a question helps students develop thinking and mastery skills. Sharing ideas with a partner develops team building and information sharing skills. Deciding what to share with the class and then presenting that develops class-building skills as well. For further information and examples of Kagan Structures please check out this guide.
In addition to Kagan Structures some of the other strategies I use include:
– Creating detailed plans for lessons, group tasks, and tools ahead of time.
– Making guidelines for groups that explain rules, tasks, time limits, and expected outputs.
– Using smile/sad face and agree/disagree cards to make it easy for students to respond.
– Repeating the lesson’s most important points throughout the class in a variety of ways.
– Integrating academic and team-building skills into my assignments.
– Making use of technology but always having a plan B in case there’s no Internet.
– Putting materials online and letting students ask questions after class by email.
Undoubtedly, technology can greatly increase student engagement and participation in a large class. The following tools and techniques are really useful:
Backchannels provide a rich environment for group discussions in real time. A backchannel is a great way to give each student a voice. Tools like TodaysMeet, Twitter streams, Googledocs, and NeatChat are some cool ways to do this.
Social media tools like Pinterest, Youtube, Facebook, Flickr, Voicethreads and Wikis will engage students and groups with different learning styles.
Note Taking apps like Wallwisher and Linoit can be used for writing important notes or giving feedback on individual and group work. They can also foster creativity in brainstorming sessions.
Nour Alkhalidy (@MissNoor28)
Dear Nour!
What an amazing piece of writing – packed with great ideas, easy to use principles and guidlines. I haven’t heard of Kagan before but sounds good to me.
I admit my biggest class is usually about 20 people which is not too difficult to manage but I kind of use “think-pair-share” idea…even with smaller classes.
I also think that as you mentioned planning and organizing of the lesson is really important when you have large class.
May I just add one thing? I found seating in U shape helps with large classes – they can see each other, anyone speaking and also teacher without problem.
Thank again dear Nour! Can’t wait to read more from you again!
Vladka
Hi dear Vladimira
Thanks for your comment, I strongly believe that the “U” shape is a good way for a ” face-to-face” interaction, which it is an important to remember the facts were being discussed in the classroom or the team.
What is special about Kagan structures, that they will provide you with such group organizing. Activities like round robin , round table or traveling Quiz -N-Show will help students to have face-to-face interactions in the same team or others.
Thanks for being here, looking forward to reading more from you too! 🙂
Nour
Great article, Nour! Thank you, Kate
Thank you for being here Kate 🙂
I truly enjoyed reading it. Waiting for some more great stuff like this from you in the coming days.
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