3 Interactive lectures and tutorials

Some tutorials (or interactive lectures) are aimed at processing previously offered material under supervision. Others are more focused on learning social or collaboration skills. Interaction and collaboration are used as learning tools.

Although an ‘offline meeting’ is often preferred, an online meeting can also easily be held. When there is no ‘real-life meeting’, it is even more important to pay attention to the quiet students. Read here for tips on how to stay ‘connected’ online.

Not all tutorial learning objectives can be achieved equally well online. So it is important to take a good look at the objective of your lesson and the need and added value of the planned interaction.

If you want to divide your class into several groups, you can use breakout rooms. In this video you can see how you can organise this in Teams.

Live tutorial

For live tutorials it will also take some getting used to for all parties involved. Therefore, initially the same things apply as with live lectures for large groups, for example, microphone use, asking questions and clarity. There are a few additional tricks.   Below you will find a number of ways in which you can give online tutorials or interactive lectures. Before you get started, take a look at the tips below.

Useful tips & tricks

1. Make sure that all materials can be completed online (it is sometimes unavoidable that the students will have to download files in order to write).
2. Think about how students will be able to present their products to you online. (Inspiration for this can be found on page 7 Other interactive resources).
3. If you want to let students work together in groups, it is advisable to compose the groups yourself.
4. Make sure that all instructions can be read (and are available to the student in advance).
5. If you want to keep track of the collaboration process, explain to the students why you want them to use a particular medium, otherwise they will use their own channels such as Discord or WhatsApp.
6. Try to get an impression of the participation of quieter students and stimulate them as much as possible. For example, agree that each student will provide two substantive questions or contributions in the chat function or ask the student help questions.

Non-live tutorial

Instead of a live tutorial, you can also choose to set up a series of assignments for your students. These can then be made by the student at a time that suits them best. This will require more of the student’s planning (skills). Optionally, you may indicate that you are available for questions at specific times.   Below you will find a number of ways in which you can give online tutorials (preparation). Before you get started, take a look at the tips below.

Useful tips & tricks

1. All the tips that apply to live lectures also apply here.
2. Provide a mix of activities that reinforce each other so that the student is activated in different ways. For example, provide a case study to be worked out following an interactive video. Or, a formative test following a summary assignment.

For live tutorials it will also take some getting used to for all parties involved. Therefore, initially the same things apply as with live lectures for large groups, for example, microphone use, asking questions and clarity. There are a few additional tricks.   Below you will find a number of ways in which you can give online tutorials or interactive lectures. Before you get started, take a look at the tips below.