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“A More Personal Way to Learn During Such an Isolating Time”: The Value of Live Lectures in Online Teaching

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a shift to online teaching, which has dramatically affected all facets of the student experience. In this practice report, we reflect on the synchronous delivery of a popular final-year module “Face Perception” in a United Kingdom (UK) psychology undergraduate degree. In the module, students learned via live lectures hosted on the virtual learning environment and content was consolidated interactively using online polls and small group discussions. We collected students’ qualitative feedback on the live lecture delivery (n=28), from which we observed three core themes: technology-enhanced engagement, logistical barriers, and togetherness in live lectures. Taken together, this feedback suggests that whilst there are additional technological and logistical challenges that must be navigated in the delivery of “live” online lectures, they can be useful in instilling a sense of togetherness online. This is particularly important, given the threats to student success and engagement that COVID-19 poses.

Published: 2021-11-02
Pages:113 to 117
Section:Practice Reports
How to Cite
Harris, R., Blundell-Birtill, P., & Pownall, M. (2021). “A More Personal Way to Learn During Such an Isolating Time”: The Value of Live Lectures in Online Teaching . Student Success, 12(3), 113-117. https://doi.org/10.5204/ssj.1781

Author Biographies

University of Leeds
United Kingdom United Kingdom

Dr Richard Harris is a Lecturer and Deputy Director of Student Education at the School of Psychology, University of Leeds.

University of Leeds
United Kingdom United Kingdom

Dr Pam Blundell-Birtill is an Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Leeds.

University of Leeds
United Kingdom United Kingdom

Madeleine Pownall is a Postgraduate Teaching Assistant and PhD Researcher in Social Psychology at the University of Leeds.

Open Access Journal
ISSN 2205-0795