Student overload at university: large class teaching challenges

Abstract

The tireless efforts of lecturers to deal with the challenges of large classes at universities continue as they persevere to provide quality education to the masses of students. Many issues plague lecturers and students alike, which inadvertently impact on the teaching and learning experience. This article reports on a study that examined the challenges faced by lecturers with large classes at higher education institutions (HEIs) and the different approaches that are used to overcome these challenges. The contribution of this study is that it documents strategies that can be used within the current technological environment to enhance student participation in large classes. The study was conducted at two universities through the use of questionnaires and found that lecturers at both HEIs were faced with similar challenges in teaching/lecturing large classes. The current feasible solution to support the traditional form of lecturing is an integrative approach that incorporates the use of information communication technologies (ICTs) as well as various other teaching approaches, in reaching all students in large classes.