Class Structure (timing, etc.)
- Length of Classes: What about the length of classes in the Cybertorium? What are the pros and cons of 50-minute periods and 75-minute periods?
- Recitations: If we schedule recitations, who will teach them--and how large or small will they be?
- Alternative structures: How about recording myself and assigning students to view the lecture on their own time--and then splitting the class in two (half comes one day; other half comes the other day) so that a smaller group of students can ask questions, complete individual activities, and/or engage in group work?
- Resources on Using Recitations:
I would like to share with you my teaching experience from 4 years (1994-97) as an adjunct professor at the Department of Physics, Sofia University. I taught a course in theoretical physics that was taking place twice a week for 2 academic hours, which is 4 academic hours per week and is probably translating to 4 credits. An academic hour is defined as 45 minutes which begin at 15 minutes after the top of the hour and end at the top of the hour. All classes in University were/are organized following that scheme. In the case of two consecutive academic hours for the same course, it depends on the instructor and the students whether the two consecutive hours will be merged or if there will be the regular break of 15 minutes between them. I have not heard from the students to be disinterested.
As I see Penn State offers 50 minutes periods. My experience tells me that the 45 minutes periods are not that demanding for the students.