Delivering a Lesson
Make sure you greet your class and wait for their attention before you begin teaching.
Learn student names. This is easy to do in smaller classes.
Include opportunities for student engagement and interaction in every lesson. Look HERE for student engagement and active learning resources.
Encourage students to ask questions and to answer questions that require critical thinking.
Be aware of your rate of speech. This is especially important for your English language learners.
Speak clearly, with expression, and at an appropriate volume.
Students need to be able to hear and FEEL your enthusiasm for the topic.
Pause after key points and repeat these to communicate their importance to students.
Encourage note-taking. Many instructors share their slides as PDFs at the start of the class. Consult your department chair to learn about the standard of practice for your subject area.
Establish classroom guidelines for participation at the start of the semester.
Move around the room and towards any disruptive behaviour.
Smile at your audience. A little humour goes a long way in establishing a comfortable and engaging learning environment.
Make eye contact.
Do your best to read the room. Observe facial expressions and body language and adjust your delivery accordingly.
If you are unsure as to how your students are feeling, ask them!
From Presenting to Lecturing: Adapting Material for Classroom Delivery
If you would like more specific guidance on how to effectively deliver your lecture, refer to the information curated on the linked webpage (Centre for Teaching Excellence, n.d.)
References
Centre for Teaching Excellence. (n.d.). From presenting to lecturing: Adapting material for classroom delivery. University of Waterloo. https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/catalogs/tip-sheets/presenting-lecturing-adapting-material-classroom-delivery