The teaching and learning methods are different at Sussex. The methods of teaching and learning provide ample opportunities to develop critical, analytical and problem solving skills for students. The students cannot rely totally on class room teaching. The system of teaching expects the students to take the responsibility of study and be successful in the examination. The teaching methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials, field work and practicals. The teaching hours depend on the courses. Science courses have more teaching hours because of practical. Overseas students feel that the class room teaching hours are less. Here the students are expected to study independently, spend more time in reading, writing essays, solving problems/questions, preparing for seminars/tutorials and reviewing the lectures. The students are expected to know the effective way of time management.
In the class room the tutor introduces the topic to the students and students cannot expect everything from the tutor. Prior to the delivery of the lecture in the class room, the tutor makes available the lecture notes/power point slides, list of books for reading and links to the sites as web resources on Study Direct which are an online learning resources of Sussex. The students are expected to read and prepare for group discussions in seminars, workshops and tutorials.
A seminar method of teaching helps the students to make presentations, gain further knowledge in the topic, develop communication skills and build self confidence. Active participation in the seminar is very important and is considered for assessment. The tutorial method promotes students to develop problem solving and analytical skills. The students sometimes work in groups and sometimes individually for practical. Each student is expected to write a report/assignment independently and it is considered as a part of assessment. The number of practicals is less but they are mainly based on the concepts of theory what the students have learnt in class room. The writing of essays of 2000-6000 words makes the students to learn the method of writing essays, improves writing skills, creates awareness about plagiarism and learns to write bibliography.
How can we make our students responsible? Sir do you think through ccct we can achieve at least few things. Sameena and me had a conversation with Prof. Witmar today from writing center and he told they have critical thinking as a course for FY students and it makes lot of difference in the attitude. Do Sussex have something like this?
ReplyDeleteThe system of H.E. should change to make every body responsible. The SU do not have this course.
ReplyDeleteDear Sir,
ReplyDeleteIwould like to know the following things.
1.The strngth of students in each class.
2. Is there any course on Environmental Studies.
3 .The various criterias used to examine the work done by students in projects /seminars.
1.The strength of the students in each class depends on the courses chosen by students. I have observed 50-325 students in some courses.
ReplyDelete2.There are courses on environment. Please visit my old posts.
3.The criteria for assessment of projects are- work of exceptional quality based on a
comprehensive knowledge of the chosen topic, a sustained high level of critical analysis combined with a genuine originality of approach. The essay or dissertation is
well argued, meticulously organised, extremely well documented and publishable standard.