Lectures

Be aware that a 45-minute live lecture sprinkled with questions and activities can become grueling when delivered online without intellectual breaks. Here are a few suggestions to improve online lectures:

• Record in small chunks: Even the best online speakers keep it brief; think of the brevity of TED talks. We learn better with breaks to process and apply new information. To aid student learning, record any lectures in shorter (5-10 minute) chunks and intersperse them with small activities that give students opportunities to process the new knowledge; make connections to other concepts; apply an idea; or make some notes in response to prompts. Smaller chunks also lead to smaller files, especially when using voice-over PowerPoint presentations.
• Be flexible with live video: Lecturing live with Google Meet or Zoom is certainly possible and it can do a good job approximating a classroom setting since students can ask questions. Some students won’t have access to fast internet connections and others may have their schedules disrupted. So, record any live classroom session and be flexible about how students can attend and participate.
• It’s not just about content: Lectures can mean more than just providing course content; they also establish a sense of normalcy and a personal connection. Instructor presence is key during short-term remote stints. Consider ways that you can use lectures to make students feel connected and cared about: acknowledgement of current challenges, praise for good work, and reminders about the class being a community. This affective work can help their learning during a difficult time.