I’ve designed and facilitated massive open online courses (MOOCs), so I shouldn’t flinch when I see an article about Teaching at Scale. However, I’ve also taught small classes and appreciate the difference in the experience for me, as well as students. This is why I struggle with takes like this, as I know how hard (impossible?) it is to effectively “scale” what is described below:
“Scale need not be a dirty word. All it requires is a willingness to think outside the box — while remembering that for most undergraduates, educational success requires structure, substantive interaction with a knowledgeable instructor, frequent feedback, and a sense of belonging.”