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Workshops » Teaching and Learning Development Workshops

Micro-Teaching Sessions

When will the next session be held?

  • Tuesday, February 14, 2012; 1-3pm

An announcement for this session will be sent to the listserv. To join the listserv, please fill out our listserv form.

Where will they be held?

All sessions will be held in room 1009 TEL Building.

Register

  • You can register by filling out the form below.
  • Space in these sessions is limited to 3-4 participants per session and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • To be put on the waiting list for sessions that are full, please send an email to cst@yorku.ca

What is Micro-Teaching?

Micro-teaching has been described as one of the most powerful techniques for improving teaching and provides a basis for self-reflection and professional growth. It is a laboratory approach to teaching development designed to help individuals develop and refine their teaching skills and to practice constructive criticism. In these sessions, participants review basic ideas about teaching, check current practices, observe and learn new ideas from colleagues, try out new strategies, and share feedback with colleagues in a constructive atmosphere. Participants design and deliver a 10-minute teaching segment followed by a feedback period for the exchange of ideas and issues related to the presentation. The teaching segment is also video-taped for each presenter as a basis for self-reflection and ongoing development of their teaching style.

Micro-teaching is a requirement of the University Teaching Practicum for graduate students, and contributes to candidates' ongoing, systematic development of their teaching practice and performance while they are teaching. The self-evaluation requirement (through micro-teaching) complements the student , and colleague, evaluation requirements. The combined results of these three components inform the development of a plan for ongoing self-improvement of teaching.

For more on the benefits of micro-teaching, read:

Using video to analyze one's own teaching
British Journal of Educational Technology
Tonya Tripp and Peter Rich

What are the Components of the Session?

These ten minute segments should be designed to prompt the learning of a specific concept in your discipline. Each teaching segment should be a complete instructional segment developed around the following five lesson components:

  • Introduction - explaining the value of the concept you will be teaching to the students (the other participants); what's in it for them.
  • Expected Learning Outcomes - explaining what you hope to students will be able to do by the end of a ten-minute time period.
  • Participatory Learning - incorporating active learning strategies and teaching tools, where appropriate.
  • Assessment - determining whether the student have sufficiently learned the concept you set out to teach.

The discussion after the teaching segment will help to identify aspects of the presenter's style and approach that were particularly effective in view of the learning objectives the presenter intended to achieve. This will help the presenter to analyse some strengths and weaknesses and develop plans for improvement.

How Do I Prepare for The Micro-Teaching Session?

When you have registered for the micro-teaching session, and have received a confirmation of your registration, it is recommended that you begin to prepare for the session. Here are a few things that you will need to do:

  • Prepare a 10 minute session by incorporating the four lesson components outlined previously.
  • Read "10 Minutes: So Little Time".
  • Review the Micro-Teaching Feedback Form that will guide the observations and discussions at the session.
  • Bring copies of handouts or any other teaching aids you may use in a regular class.

Visuals are always an effective complement to your teaching, so feel free to use PowerPoint or overheads with your presentation. Please note that PowerPoint and the internet will be available. All other technology programs or equipment need to be ordered in advance.

A DVD of your presentation will be provided.

Alternatives to the Micro-Teaching Session

If you are unable to attend any of the micro-teaching sessions, you have the option of having a colleague or friend video-tape one of your lectures to fulfill the component of self-evaluation in the UTP. You may need to get permission from your class before doing so.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the micro-teaching sessions, please feel free to email us at the Centre for the Support of Teaching.