Reflect on the challenges of teaching in large classes and your own pedagogical values as an instructor in order to find creative ways to support student learning and engagement. This 4-part, self-paced online course explores common logistical challenges in large classes, considers how to apply evidence-based teaching practices in these environments, and invites participants to develop their own ideas for improved student engagement and participation. By the end of this course, participants will have experience:
- identifying logistical challenges in large (STEM) classes;
- recognizing evidence-based approaches (that are effective in large classes); and
- discerning trends in learner engagement & participation in large classes
Audience & registration
This course is designed first and foremost for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in STEM/SBE disciplines, but generally relevant to anyone interested in improving your teaching strategies in large classes. Course access is limited to participants at CIRTL member institutions, or alumni of CIRTL programs. When registering, you will be asked to confirm your current institution and your alumni status in order to confirm your eligibility for this course. Registration coming Fall 2025.
Accessibility & course content
If you have access needs, please let us know what they are. Contact CIRTL’s help desk (support@cirtl.net) to let us know how we can help you have a successful experience. Course content includes written text and academic journal articles for additional optional readings. Student work includes structured personal reflection and submitting a final assignment incorporating what you’ve learned into real or imagined future teaching opportunities.
About CIRTL Programming
CIRTL Network programming is designed to develop future faculty committed to implementing and advancing evidence-based teaching practices to create undergraduate educational experiences that are accessible to all learners. Participants can explore our programming in any order, and to whatever extent supports your own teaching development needs and interests. To help participants understand what they can expect across all our programming, all CIRTL programming aligns with four broad learning goals; within those goals, programming might provide participants with an introductory, intermediate, or advanced learning experience.
This course supports the following CIRTL learning goals at an introductory level:
- Goal 1: Develop evidence-based teaching knowledge. See more Goal 1 programming.
- Goal 3: Cultivate teaching skills through reflective improvement. See more Goal 3 programming.