(Re)designing active learning for a large group size can be challenging. Here is a quick link to all tips and information regarding large groups in this guide:

• Why active learning is not just for small groups
• Small activities that can be added to classic lectures  in a lecture room –-> click ‘Help, I want to make my passive lectures more active but I don’t have much time’
• In the STEM activity finder, you can find teaching activities that suit large groups –> select >50 in the ‘group size’ filter
• Read this best practice story about STEM lecturers who activated their lectures with 100+ students
• Read in this best practice story how a quantum course turned large group tutorials into active co-working classrooms
• Check below which rooms the Science Park offers for large(r) groups, that are not lecture halls, but have regular or flexible furniture and extra options

Keep in mind that active learning activities in large groups can cause a lot of noise if all students talk in small groups at the same time. If this is something you want to avoid, you can:

• Consider individual, quiet, activities such as brief reflections, one-minute paper, or voting quizzes. Use a balanced variety of more active and more quiet activities.
• Only do ‘noisy’ exercises for 1-2 minutes (p.a. think-pair-share or explain to a neighbor).
• Use a recognizable prompt or action to get plenary attention back, or use an on-screen timer so  students know exactly when their attention should be back on you.
• Allow small groups of students to do their tutorial group-work in another study space (but they have to come back for plenary closing or asking questions)
• Divide your large cohort into smal(ler) sub-cohorts of 40, 50 or 60, and offer separate/parallel sessions (depending on time and teacher availability). Consider rooms that are not traditional lecture halls. This will give you more options for active teaching formats, that go beyond small lecture tweaks.
  • Read this story for an example of how that was done for a large quantum course.

There are several specified Active Learning Spaces at the Science Park. They offer features such as flexible furniture, extra whiteboard space, group tables, and/or extra LCD screens. Check this overview of the active learning spaces and their specific facilities.

Rooms that fit >40 students with standard or flexible furniture, are:

You can book rooms by putting in a request with the scheduling team: rooster-science@uva.nl, or include your request in the time-table constraints. If you’re looking for last minute changes, you can check the availability of the rooms in this overview on Datanose (login required). More detailed info on booking lecture rooms is presented on the employee pages.

For poster sessions or end-product showcases, you can consider:

G0.23/25; with 9 mobile poster boards and flexible furniture

G0.18a/G0.18b for presenting digital posters (group tables with separate group screens)

The central hall in SP 904; booking via rooster-science@uva.nl; poster boards must be requested

The Brainwave (common room managed by students) in SP 904; poster boards must be requested

• If you want to organize an event after 17:00, please remember to inform all parties by sending an email to bestuur@stichtingbrainwave.nl.
• If you want to organise an event before 17:00, please email J.F.M.Flesch@uva.nl

Find more information about requesting facilities for symposia etc. at the employee site.