The University of Oregon's Teaching Effectiveness Program is inviting faculty, staff and GTFs to the kickoff events of its "Think Small, Teach Big" series, which asks, “Can we make the big class feel more connected, exciting and meaningful?"

The program will host "The Lecture: 20 Years Later," at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, in the Knight Library Browsing Room. It will revisit a UO event from 1994 on lecturing technique, and will ask current faculty panelists from across the disciplines whether "the lecture" is still a relevant genre.

Presenters and the full group will discuss how they’ve revised their lecture-format classes; whether lecturing teaches students about focus and following—and ultimately forming their own—extended trains of thought; and how one infuses the lecture class with positive difficulty in the types of activities students undertake. Another topic will evaluate if new technology and the popularity of TED Talks and Khan Academy micro-lectures changes how we imagine what should happen in the classroom.

Panelists from 1994 – Pam Birrell, Alan Dickman and Dana Johnston – will join new panelists: Sierra Dawson of human physiology, Alex Dracobly of history, Mark Lonergan of chemistry, Ben Saunders of English and TEP’s Jason Schreiner.

The second event in the "Think Small, Teach Big" series will be from 10:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6, in 111 Lillis. John Schmor, associate professor and head of the Department of Theatre Arts, will lead "Performance Tips for the Lecture Hall," taking participants through a series of acting and voice techniques that can be added to teaching toolkits.

Participants should come prepared for a participatory workshop that will get them out of their seats, breaking the fourth wall and considering the degree to which faculty and students together can re-activate the lecture hall. 

To register for the events, email tep@uoregon.edu. More information on the event series is available online.

- from the UO's Teaching Effectiveness Program