Teaching at university will not be as structured as you are used to, but through a combination of lectures, tutorials, group work, practical classes and lab work (depending on your subject), there will be plenty of different ways to learn. Learning outcomes or objectives are provided for each module (and often for each lecture) so you should be able to keep track of your own progress.
We've compiled a list of the main types of teaching you are likely to encounter during your degree.
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Lectures will be an important way for you to learn at university. Staff use lectures to explain core subject material, providing an introduction to key concepts, theories, research and literature relating to your chosen subject. Lectures are often delivered to large groups of students, with some lecture theatres holding up to 300 students.
All lecturers have different styles - some will work through presentations (often using Powerpoint) that have been prepared and provided in advance, some will spend a lot of time writing on a board or using a projector to illustrate theories or problems, and some will mostly talk and use demonstrations. How your lecturer presents the information will influence how you capture it, and how you learn, so flexibility is important.
Interactive teaching
Many lecturers use an interactive style of teaching. For example, they will often ask students to answer questions during lectures, sometimes using interactive tools like Mentimeter, or by asking you to discuss your answers in pairs or smaller groups. You might also be provided with material to read or watch before the session. This might include watching a video, listening to podcasts or completing an e-learning module. Class time is then used for discussion and group work, where all members of the group are encouraged to participate.
Don’t worry if you encounter different styles of teaching in lectures, or if they aren’t what you expect. The diversity of delivery can reflect both the subject material and your lecturer’s individual style – this will give you the chance to learn in the way best suited to the material.
Learning resources
Often, resources to support the lecture – including slides or handouts – will be provided online through Blackboard, the College’s Virtual Learning Environment. You can also watch lecture recordings on Panopto; this means you don’t need to spend time trying to write down everything your lecturer says, giving you more freedom to engage with the subject matter and focus on the key concepts and questions. The College’s audio and video lecture recording guidelines are available on the Panopto webpage, including the rules on sharing of recorded materials.
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