Delivering quality along with quantity: the challenge of teaching a large and heterogeneous engineering class
The challenges faced by a lecturer teaching large multidisciplinary engineering classes are identified. These are principally related to the size of the class, the extensive mathematical knowledge that is considered as prerequisite, as well as the heterogeneity of the class due to the diversity of s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publications
2018
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/51173/ |
| _version_ | 1848798434858893312 |
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| author | Chronopoulos, D. |
| author_facet | Chronopoulos, D. |
| author_sort | Chronopoulos, D. |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | The challenges faced by a lecturer teaching large multidisciplinary engineering classes are identified. These are principally related to the size of the class, the extensive mathematical knowledge that is considered as prerequisite, as well as the heterogeneity of the class due to the diversity of students’ academic background and interests. In order to improve students’ engagement and retention in class, active learning techniques are employed and their impact on the performance of the class is captured through a questionnaire designed for this purpose. The statistics demonstrate that good teaching facilities and a well-prepared lecturer do not suffice for maximising students’ satisfaction, attention and retention. In order to engage the students in a large class setting, it is important to involve them in the lecture process. The employed active learning methods comprising quizzes, in class demonstration and muddiest-point cards induce a remarkably positive impact at almost no additional teaching resources. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T20:19:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-51173 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T20:19:43Z |
| publishDate | 2018 |
| publisher | SAGE Publications |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-511732018-04-16T14:38:02Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/51173/ Delivering quality along with quantity: the challenge of teaching a large and heterogeneous engineering class Chronopoulos, D. The challenges faced by a lecturer teaching large multidisciplinary engineering classes are identified. These are principally related to the size of the class, the extensive mathematical knowledge that is considered as prerequisite, as well as the heterogeneity of the class due to the diversity of students’ academic background and interests. In order to improve students’ engagement and retention in class, active learning techniques are employed and their impact on the performance of the class is captured through a questionnaire designed for this purpose. The statistics demonstrate that good teaching facilities and a well-prepared lecturer do not suffice for maximising students’ satisfaction, attention and retention. In order to engage the students in a large class setting, it is important to involve them in the lecture process. The employed active learning methods comprising quizzes, in class demonstration and muddiest-point cards induce a remarkably positive impact at almost no additional teaching resources. SAGE Publications 2018-03-19 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/51173/1/Manuscript%20-%20Anonymous.pdf Chronopoulos, D. (2018) Delivering quality along with quantity: the challenge of teaching a large and heterogeneous engineering class. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education . 030641901876411. ISSN 0306-4190 Active learning; Mechanical engineering; Large classes; Multidisciplinary classes http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0306419018764118 doi:10.1177/0306419018764118 doi:10.1177/0306419018764118 |
| spellingShingle | Active learning; Mechanical engineering; Large classes; Multidisciplinary classes Chronopoulos, D. Delivering quality along with quantity: the challenge of teaching a large and heterogeneous engineering class |
| title | Delivering quality along with quantity: the challenge of teaching a large and heterogeneous engineering class |
| title_full | Delivering quality along with quantity: the challenge of teaching a large and heterogeneous engineering class |
| title_fullStr | Delivering quality along with quantity: the challenge of teaching a large and heterogeneous engineering class |
| title_full_unstemmed | Delivering quality along with quantity: the challenge of teaching a large and heterogeneous engineering class |
| title_short | Delivering quality along with quantity: the challenge of teaching a large and heterogeneous engineering class |
| title_sort | delivering quality along with quantity: the challenge of teaching a large and heterogeneous engineering class |
| topic | Active learning; Mechanical engineering; Large classes; Multidisciplinary classes |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/51173/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/51173/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/51173/ |