Activity 5. What are your students actually doing in your class?

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In class (either a lecture, tutorial or lab), make a note of when you are actually engaging in each activity. Alternatively, you could invite a colleague to observe your class, making notes, or video record the class. Consider a class you are preparing to teach. Using your lesson plan, note down what you have planned for the students to do during class, and the timing of these activities.

Reflect on the difference between your original plan and the actual outcome. 

If you have a colleague's observations or a recording, note:

  • when are students listening to you most closely, or are most engaged in activities you have designed?  
  • when are they most distracted?

Then consider:

  • did your students engage in the ways you expected or planned for?
  • were there times where students were losing concentration or becoming distracted?
  • what could you to do to re-design the class so that your students are more active in their learning?
  • what activities could you use?