Lecturing Effectively

 Make sure all students can hear the instructor.

  • Use a microphone and the built in sound system in the room to allow students to use an Assistive Listening Device.
  • Repeat student questions and comments before you answer to make sure all students can hear the question and answer, and to make sure that it is picked up on the recording.
  • In classrooms with Infrared Transmitters (IR), the student uses an SDC-provided receiver while the instructor uses regular PA system. If the room has no IR, the student uses a transmitter and the instructor uses a lapel microphone, both loaned by the SDC.
  • Using the microphone and built-in sound system also allows podcasting.
  • Also see “Use podcasts effectively.”

Resources:

  • Microphone systems are in the majority of general assignment classrooms and assistive devices are in many classrooms. Contact ATS classroom services for more information (phone, email).
  • Faculty can check out loaner microphones from IET. The microphones connect to the AV counters in classrooms and can record podcasts. The user needs to provide an SD card to save the podcast.
  • Watching a videotape of yourself teaching allows you to see your class from a student’s perspective. Contact the CETL to request a consultation: http://cetl.ucdavis.edu/services/consultations
  • The SDC provides loaner equipment to students who are being accommodated by the SDC. All other NON-disability IR requests must go through ATS.

Present information clearly and at a reasonable pace.

  • Be aware of your speaking pace, how clearly you are speaking, the size and clarity of your writing, and adjust if necessary (merge speaking with #7; clarity of writing may be a separate issue).
  • In general, slowing down and speaking louder will help students.

Resources:

  • Watching a videotape of yourself teaching allows you to see your class from a student’s perspective. Contact the CETL to request a consultation: http://cetl.ucdavis.edu/services/consultations
  • Also see “Make sure all students can hear the instructor.”
  • Also see “Use podcasts effectively.”
  • Also see “Use a document camera.”

 Use a document camera (instead of writing on the board).

  • By using a document camera, students who read lips are able to see the instructors face and follow along.
  • Using a document camera also provides a complete written record on paper that can be made into a pdf and given to students who benefit from having a copy of notes.
  • The document camera can be projected in a larger format than the board, which makes it easier for all students to see.
  • If the classroom is equipped with lecture capture, students can replay the recording from the document camera.
  • Keep in mind that a document camera may block the professor’s face from the class.

Resources:

  • Document cameras are in all general assignment classrooms.
  • For departmentally controlled classrooms, contact your department equipment coordinator.
  • Contact ATS classroom services ((530) 752-2133, ats@ucdavis.edu) to learn about how to use a document camera. For info on using a document camera visit http://iet.ucdavis.edu/rooms/media_cabinet.cfm and http://www.wolfvision.com/wolf/ma_9_ed.pdf
  • IET has ScanSnap document scanners (can scan 50 double-sided loose leaf sheets at a time) located in most campus computer labs (2101 SCC, 102 Wellman, 182 Shields, and 75 Hutchison). Document scanners can be used to scan pages from a document camera to convert them to a pdf. To learn how to use one, ask the Computer Room Consultant for assistance in any of the listed campus computer labs.

 Use podcasts effectively.

  • Podcasts provide an audio recording of the lecture. They are useful for students to listen to the lecture again.
  • Repeat student questions and comments before you answer to make sure all students can hear the question and answer, and to make sure that it is picked up on the recording.
  • Provide a written transcript for podcasts for students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.
  • Faculty should use the classrooms microphone to ensure a good recording.
  • Also see “Make sure all students can hear the instructor.”

Resources:

  • 32 general assignment classrooms are equipped with podcasting equipment. Visit http://podcasting.ucdavis.edu/
  • There are a number of tools available for creating podcasts in non-equipped classrooms (i.e. Camtasia relay).
  • There are also tools available to help with creating transcripts. Contact the SDC for more information.