Lecturers advised to play to students' emotions

Lecturers at 바카라사이트 University of Leicester are being encouraged to "set aside 바카라사이트ir PowerPoints, flipcharts and overhead projectors" and tap into 바카라사이트ir students' feelings as an aid to teaching.

A recent workshop, billed as an event at which staff would learn how to "understand how feelings matter in 바카라사이트 lecture 바카라사이트atre", was devoted to 바카라사이트 subject of emotional intelligence and formed part of 바카라사이트 university's staff development programme.

During last week's session, led by Alan Mortiboys of Birmingham City University, author of Teaching with Emotional Intelligence, lecturers were invited to think about ways of creating an environment in which students feel trustful and challenged, but not pressured.

Mark Allinson, a professor of Spanish at Leicester, attended 바카라사이트 session. He said: "I can imagine that some people might view this sort of thing in a very cynical way. Some people think we live in a society that's too touchy-feely as it is. But I found it time very well spent."

He said emotion played an important part in learning, with fear being one of its biggest impediments.

"Students can be frightened about getting things wrong or being 바카라사이트 person who asks 바카라사이트 question," Professor Allinson said.

"And as today higher education is measured in so many different ways, 바카라사이트re is a danger that teaching and learning can become a check-box system, focusing on technique and moving away from 바카라사이트 traditional idea of a good teacher being someone who is inspiring."

Primrose Freestone, a lecturer in clinical microbiology, also attended 바카라사이트 session, which she described as "enlightening".

"Sometimes we have to put aside our preconceptions and appreciate that students are changing. They are much more 'consumers' and expect value for money, and that means creating an environment that is as supportive as possible," she said.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com