If you want your students to do the talking for a change, you can achieve this with microteaching. Find out more about microteaching in this Education Tip .  

What is Microteaching? 

Microteaching means that students prepare a specific (section of the) learning content, either individually or in groups, and present it to their fellow students.  

The students who have given the lesson or presentation receive feedback from the lecturer and fellow students about the content or format of the lesson or presentation. 

When to Use Microteaching? 

Microteaching encourages students to: 

• actively select, analyse and process learning content; 
• practise their presentation or teaching skills. 

What are the Points to Consider?  

Clarify your Expectations 

Convey to the students what you expect from them during the microteaching session. Are they supposed to give a presentation or rather an interactive lecture? Do they focus solely on knowledge transfer or should they provide examples in order to contextualize that knowledge ? 

Be Specific about the Duration of the Presentation 

Students need to learn to present a particular content within a given period of time. It is also important to limit the number of groups in a lesson so that the attention of fellow students does not slack off. 

Provide Constructive Feedback 

Please read the Education Tip 'Feedback: (almost) everything you need to know'. 

Use the Presentations 

Do not let the students give presentations just for the sake of it, but use their presentations in your lesson plan and possibly as learning material for the exam. 

Draw up Clear Assessment Criteria 

Indicate what you expect from a good presentation. Should the students use different teaching methods? Should it be an unexpected presentation? Are they also assessed on leading the discussion following their presentation? Will you include language use in the assessment? 

Also consider using peer feedback, but give the students sufficient guidelines to ensure objectivity.