Teaching Techniques

The Learning & Teaching Office has gathered a variety of resources and reports to assist faculty and students in enhancing their classroom learning environment.

We hope this page will provide you with the necessary tools to get started in the classroom.

• Teaching Large Classes: Large classes are common at Ryerson, and questions of how to successfully facilitate student learning and keep the classroom environment civil are common. The LTO has compiled numerous resources on this topic, as well as gathered together best practices from Ryerson instructors.
• Active Learning: Active learning has been identified as one of the seven principles of good practice in undergraduate education. From one-minute papers to panel discussions, as little as five minutes of active learning activities per fifty-minute class session can boost learning significantly.
  
• Experiential Learning: Experiential learning is an important part of Ryerson University's model of education, emphasizing relevance and the integration of theory and practice. Learn more about how to design, integrate, and assess experiential learning activities in your classroom.
  
• Group Work: The Association of American Colleges and Universities have identified group work as a high impact educational practice, when used effectively. This page provides strategies and resources for using group work in your course.
  
• Case Method: Case method is a powerful student-centered teaching strategy that can impart students withcritical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills. Learn how to use case method in your classroom.
  
• Running Workshops [pdf]: Teaching workshops, labs, and tutorials allow instructors to enjoy the benefits of small group teaching. Learn some strategies for running successful workshops.
• Facilitating Discussions [pdf]: Used on its own or combined with lectures, discussion is an effective way to facilitate learning.A successful discussion doesn't just happen—it demands that the instructor be well prepared. To help you prepare for a class discussion, common concerns and problems are listed with suggestions for how to deal with each.

Please check out the LTO's list of current programs for more services to help you improve your teaching.

Are these resources helpful?

If you would like to make comments or suggestions, recommend useful resources, or share your practice, please email the LTO's Research Associate at michelle.schwartz@ryerson.ca