The University Teacher and Teaching
What is the main role of a university teacher?
To facilitate and support students' learning.
What is active learning?
A learning approach in which students actively participate in the learning process.
What is a learning outcome?
A statement describing what students should know or be able to do after learning.
What does student-centered teaching mean?
An approach that places students' learning, needs and active participation at the centre of teaching.
What is assessment?
The process of collecting information about students' knowledge, skills and learning progress.
What are the three main roles of a university teacher?
Subject expert, facilitator of learning and assessor.
What does prior knowledge mean?
Knowledge and experience that students already have before learning something new.
Which verb is more suitable for a measurable learning outcome: "understand" or "analyse"?
Analyse, because it describes an observable and assessable action.
What is the difference between open-ended and closed questions?
Closed questions have specific answers; open-ended questions encourage explanation and discussion.
What is formative assessment?
Assessment during the learning process that helps students improve.
Why is subject knowledge alone not enough to be an effective university teacher?
Because teachers also need pedagogical, communication and assessment skills.
What is the difference between deep and surface learning?
Deep learning focuses on understanding and critical thinking; surface learning focuses on memorisation and reproduction.
What are the three elements of constructive alignment?
Intended learning outcomes, teaching and learning activities, and assessment tasks.
What is the difference between teacher-centered and student-centered communication?
Teacher-centered communication is mainly one-way; student-centered communication involves dialogue and active participation.
What is the difference between formative and summative assessment?
Formative assessment supports improvement during learning; summative assessment evaluates achievement at the end of a learning period.
What should a teacher do if students cannot understand a difficult concept?
Explain it differently, use examples, connect it to prior knowledge and check understanding.
A student memorises information but cannot apply it in a new situation. What type of learning does this illustrate?
Surface learning.
A course aims to develop critical thinking, but the exam only tests memorisation. What is the problem?
There is a misalignment between the learning outcomes and the assessment.
Name three active learning techniques that can be used in a university classroom.
Case studies, group discussions and debates.
Why is giving students only a grade insufficient for effective learning?
A grade shows performance but does not explain strengths, weaknesses or how to improve.
What is the difference between a teacher as a knowledge transmitter and a teacher as a facilitator of learning?
A knowledge transmitter mainly delivers information, while a facilitator guides students to actively construct, analyse and apply knowledge.
According to deep learning principles, what should students do with new information to develop a meaningful understanding?
Connect it with prior knowledge, identify relationships, question assumptions and apply it to new situations.
A learning outcome requires students to evaluate competing political theories. What assessment task would best measure this outcome?
A comparative analytical essay in which students evaluate the theories and justify their conclusions.
A lecturer asks questions, but only two students answer. What three strategies can encourage wider participation?
Give students thinking time, organise pair or small-group discussions, and use anonymous responses.
What makes feedback effective in higher education? Name three characteristics.
It should be specific, constructive and actionable, helping students understand how to improve their future work.