CHALLENGES IN TEACHING LARGE CLASSES ON A FUNDAMENTALS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COURSE WITH A BLENDED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
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Abstract
The effective management of large classes is continually discussed amongst researchers in higher education. Teaching large classes is a challenge, especially in introductory courses for first year undergraduates who are new to the university environment. The objectives of this research were (1) to analyse students’ satisfaction with the activities used in a Fundamentals of Information Technology course with a blended learning environment; (2) to study the problems in teaching large classes in this course; and (3) to find out how to improve learning and teaching in large classes using the student opinions gathered in this research. Data were collected using two sources: (1) students’ scores from the mid-term and final examinations, and (2) an anonymous survey conducted before the final examination. 120 students were surveyed about learning and teaching matters in the introductory course. The questionnaires were quantitatively and qualitatively analysed. Percentage analysis was done to group the levels of satisfaction regarding activities in this course. Students’ reflections on large class problems, and suggestions to improve learning and teaching, were qualitatively analysed. The results indicate that most students were satisfied with activities involving technology integration, such as computer labs. The main problem with large classes in Thailand is loud noise, caused by factors of anonymity and culture. The solutions to improving learning and teaching in large classes are: increasing student-teacher interaction; adding more informal study; encouraging more class attendance; reducing anonymity; and grouping students based on their abilities.
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"The opinions and contents including the words in papers are responsibility by the authors."
"ข้อคิดเห็น เนื้อหา รวมทั้งการใช้ภาษาในบทความถือเป็นความรับผิดชอบของผู้เขียน"
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