By the end of this unit you should be able to:
Explore practical application and reflection on university teaching skills.
Teaching practice provides essential opportunities to apply pedagogical knowledge in authentic contexts, receive constructive feedback, and develop professional skills through reflection. Effective practice combines focused skill development with systematic evaluation and continuous improvement.
This unit covers micro-teaching design, video recording techniques, feedback processes, reflective practice frameworks, and systematic implementation of teaching improvements. You'll learn to create meaningful practice experiences that bridge theory and application.
When planning micro-teaching, choose a discrete skill or concept (e.g., delivering clear instructions) and limit scope to a 5-minute segment. Defining precise aims enables focused practice and targeted feedback.
Design your focused micro-teaching session with clear parameters:
Complete the parameters to generate your personalized micro-teaching plan.
You have 10 minutes to practice questioning skills. Which scope is most appropriate?
High-quality recordings require stable camera placement, clear audio capture, and appropriate lighting. Instructors should test platforms in advance, respect privacy protocols (learner consent), and provide accessible file formats for review.
Ensure professional quality recordings for effective feedback:
Video Quality:
Audio Quality:
Privacy Compliance:
Upload Requirements:
Readiness: 0/12 items
Complete checklist for optimal recording quality.
Your video is good quality but students aren't clearly audible. What's your best solution?
Feedback sessions use structured forms—highlighting strengths, suggestions, and reflective prompts—to ensure consistency. Peers and tutors should adhere to agreed timelines and maintain a constructive, supportive tone in all comments.
Structure effective peer and tutor feedback for micro-teaching sessions:
Select all parameters to generate your feedback protocol.
Clear Instructions:
Student Engagement:
A peer's feedback is very general: "Good lesson, students seemed to like it." How do you respond?
Following feedback, instructors engage in structured reflection—identifying specific goals, selecting strategies for improvement, and scheduling follow-up micro-teachings. Documenting this process closes the feedback loop and promotes ongoing growth.
Transform feedback into concrete development plans:
Step 1: Feedback Analysis
Step 2: Self-Assessment
Step 3: Priority Setting
SMART Goal
Implementation Strategy
Timeline & Review
You received conflicting feedback from two peers. How do you reflect on this?
Integrating a concise, research-informed "Teaching Tip" (e.g., using ICQs, netiquette reminders) into the next class solidifies new skills. Instructors plan and document the tip's application, then reflect on its impact in subsequent sessions.
Select and implement research-based teaching tips systematically:
Instruction & Clarity
ICQ Technique: Use Instruction-Checking Questions to verify understanding before activities.
Example: "How many examples will you write?" (specific, not "Do you understand?")
Wait Time: Allow 3-5 seconds after questions before accepting responses.
Research shows increased participation and thoughtful responses.
Engagement & Interaction
Think-Pair-Share: Individual thinking → pair discussion → class sharing.
Increases participation and confidence in responding.
Supportive Cold-Calling: Give thinking time, then name student to respond.
"Think about this question... [pause] ...Sarah, what are your thoughts?"
Feedback & Assessment
Exit Tickets: Quick formative assessment before students leave.
"Write one thing you learned and one question you still have."
Plus-Delta Feedback: What worked well (+) and what to change (Δ).
Simple, actionable feedback format for continuous improvement.
Select a teaching tip to create implementation plan.
Your implemented teaching tips will appear here...
You tried "think-pair-share" but students were reluctant to share with the class. What's your next step?
Test your understanding of teaching practice principles:
1. Effective micro-teaching sessions should:
2. When recording teaching sessions, the most important consideration is:
3. Effective peer feedback should be:
4. Reflective practice is most effective when it:
5. Teaching tips are most effectively implemented when:
Congratulations on completing Introduction to University Teaching!
You have successfully explored all essential areas of university teaching:
Well done! You're ready to make a positive impact on student learning.