Teaching a large-enrollment course (whether that means 50 students or 500) can feel different than teaching a small or medium-sized class. Large classes often require more intentional planning to support active engagement and help students feel connected in the learning process.
Below are four practical tips from UTK instructors who teach large classes.
Stan Guffey, Senior Lecturer in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Tips:
- Build immediacy with students.
- Move around the learning space.
- Respond quickly to inquiries and emails.
These practices can make it easier for students to ask for help and can foster a sense of “mattering,” which supports student success.
Beth Schussler, Associate Professor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Tip: Create equality of voice in participation.
A simple routine Beth uses:
- Students discuss a question.
- 30 seconds before the discussion ends, she randomly calls on a student’s name (pulled from note cards).
- That student shares their answer (and can note it came from the group).
Why it works: it increases broad participation and functions as formative assessment—both instructors and students get immediate feedback on understanding.
Ken Baker, Senior Lecturer in Economics
Tip: Communicate clearly and consistently.
Ken sends a detailed Monday email to all students that includes:
- Topics that will be covered
- Assignments to complete (with dates/times due)
- Assessments are happening that week
This provides a roadmap for success. He also identifies students who are struggling and emails them directly about where they’re falling behind—helping to build connection in a large class setting.
Elliott Spengler, Graduate Research Associate in Psychology
Tip: Reduce distractions to increase connection.
Elliott promotes a distraction-free classroom by prohibiting devices (laptops, phones, tablets, etc.) and sharing his rationale, grounded in research on practical learning.
Reasons highlighted:
- Writing down information helps students remember material better.
- It removes a primary distraction students face in today’s classroom.
- It helps students connect in the classroom.
He reports seeing more peer-to-peer conversation before and during class—supporting connectedness to the academic environment.