Diversity in the practice of teaching and learning: how can we make sure that all students get the most out of lectures?

Suzanne Mol aims to investigate which teaching techniques lecturers can best apply in their lectures, so that they are as closely aligned as possible to the learning needs of students with and without a disability (e.g. learning difficulties, attention and behaviour problems).

• Name: Suzanne Mol
• Function: University lecturer
• Study programme: Education and Child Studies
• Member of the Leiden Teachers’ Academy since 2017

Project: Effective lectures for a diverse student population

The didactic techniques that teachers often apply in their lectures seem to be particularly aligned to the ‘average’ or ‘typical’ student’s needs to grasp the subject matter. However, little to no research has been conducted on whether lecturers in academic education meet the different needs of the very diverse student population, including students with a disability, with this technique. In this project, I aim to research to what degree adjusting lectures will have an effect on learning and student (with or without a disability) satisfaction. I expect that overall, students will learn more from lectures in which evidence-based teaching and learning techniques are employed, but that students with a disability will benefit more from this than students without a disability.