1. First Steps in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education 2016
Kavi Thakore – PhD Student
Reflections on Microteaching Session

2. Aim of this Presentation
Kolb‘s Cycle
Brookfield’s Four Lenses
Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle
Image Sources:
Brookfield, Stephen. (1995):
Gibbs, Graham. (1988):
Kolb, David. (1984):

3. Brief Description (Gibbs, 1988) or Concrete Experience (Kolb, 1984) of Microteaching Session and the Learning Outcome
10 minute presentation, 10 minute feedback (Q&A).
Small group only 6 students + 1 tutor
Provide a basic introduction to Global Political Economy.
Image Source:
Borst, John. (2014):

4. Reflections
Lens 1: Self-reflection (Brookfield, 1995), ties into Feelings and Evaluation (Gibbs, 1988).
- Nervous before/at beginning, but comfortable during.
- Clear and concise with information, visual cues. But, too much text on slides (distracting).
Lens 2: Students’ eyes (Brookfield, 1995), ties into Evaluation (Gibbs, 1988).
Negative
Positive
Dense slides (distracting)
Images offered clarity
Too many (new) terms
Highlighted key text in red
No reference list
Qs enabled group engagement

5. Reflections Continued
Lens 3: Colleague’s experience (Brookfield, 1995), ties into Evaluation and parts of Analysis (Gibbs, 1988)
Tutor indicated session was rushed, slow down.
Supervisors (Lecturers).
Attend/Present at Conferences (Confidence, see: Lawrence, 1999; Eison, 1990).
Sit in on their lectures (Observation, see: O’Leary, 2014; Race et al, 2009).
Associate Teachers Course (New Skills).
Record the session and/or invite them (Development through peer observation, see above references)

6. Making Sense of the Experience Through the Literature
Lens 4: Theoretical Literature (Brookfield, 1995), ties into Abstract Conceptualisation (Kolb, 1984), as well as Analysis and Conclusion (Gibbs, 1988).
Main Insights:
Preparing/Thinking in advance (Cohen et al, 2010; Lakshmi and Rao, 2009).
Cater for a variety of styles and knowledge levels (Ryan (ed.), 2014; Brown and Fallon (eds.), 2010; Hughes, 2002).
Quality over quantity (Race et al, 2008; McKinney, 2007; Knight, 2002)
More interactive participation (Wallace and Kirkman, 2014; Whitton and Moseley (eds.), 2012; Asal, 2005)

7. Slide Density and Slow down Associate Teachers Course and Conferences
Collated Reflections (Brookfield, 1995), Active Experimentation (Kolb, 1984) and Action Plan (Gibbs, 1988)
Moving Forward!
Utilise Game-theory
Slide Density and Slow down
Associate Teachers Course and Conferences
Observe Lecturers
Record Session

8. References
Asal, Victor. (2005). ‘Playing Games with International Relations’, International Studies Perspectives, 6. Pp
Brookfield, Stephen. (1995). Becoming a Critically Reflective Teacher. San Francisco: Jossey Bass.
Brown, Susan. and Fallon, Moira. (eds.) (2010). Teaching Inclusively in Higher Education. North Carolina: Information Age Publishing Inc.
Cohen, Louis. et al. (2010). A Guide to Teaching Practice. Abingdon: Routledge.
Eison, James. (1990). ‘Confidence in the Classroom: Ten Maxims for New Teachers’, College Teaching, 38(1). Pp
Gibbs, Graham. (1988). Learning by Doing: A guide to teaching and learning methods. Oxford: Further Education Unit. Oxford Polytechnic.
Hughes, Mike. (2002). Tweak to Transform: Improving Teaching. Cornwall: MPG Books Ltd.
Knight, Peter. (2002). Being A Teacher In Higher Education. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Kolb, David. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.

9. References
Lakshmi, M. and Rao, Digumarti. (2009). Microteaching and Prospective Teachers. New Delhi: Discovery Publishing House.
Lawrence, Denis. (1999). Teaching with Confidence: A Guide to Enhancing Teacher Self-Esteem. London: Paul Chapman Publishing Ltd.
McKinney, Kathleen. (2007). Enhancing Learning Through the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: The Challenges and Joys of Juggling. Boston: Anker Publishing Company, Inc.
O'Leary, Matt. (2014). Classroom Observation: A Guide to the Effective Observation of Teaching and Learning. Abingdon: Routledge.
Race, Phil. et al. (2009). Using peer observation to enhance teaching. Leeds: Leeds Met Press.
Race, Phil. et al. (2008). In at the Deep End: Starting to Teach in Higher Education. Cork: National Academy for the Integration of Research and Teaching and Learning.
Ryan, Mary. (ed.) (2014). Teaching Reflective Learning in Higher Education: A Systematic Approach Using Pedagogic Patterns. New York: Springer.
Wallace, Isabella. and Kirkman, Leah. (2014). Talk-Less Teaching: Practice, Participation and Progress. Carmarthen: Crown House Publishing.
Whitton, Nicola and Moseley, Alex. (eds.) (2012). Using Games to Enhance Learning and Teaching: A Beginner's Guide. Abingdon: Routledge.