Our unique approach
Less listening, more doing
La Trobe students spend between 40% and 60% of class time practising mathematics as compared to the norm of 20%. This approach means that students get to practice mathematics under academic supervision and have greater access to staff.
Typical first-year single semester mathematics subject
| La Trobe |
Other Australian universities |
|---|---|
| 2 x lectures |
4 x lectures |
| 2 x practice classes |
1 x tutorial or practice class |
| 1 x lecture workshop |
A distinctive practice class program
Our students work in dedicated practice class rooms while demonstrators move around the class answering questions and offering advice. Subject materials are carefully integrated with the lecture material so that the students are exposed to new material in a hands-on manner.
In second year, students have the opportunity to take 'blackboard practice classes' for which La Trobe Mathematics is famous. In these classes, students work at the blackboard in groups of two or three while a staff member circulates around the class offering advice here needed. These classes lead to active learning and are very popular with students.
Tailor-made teaching materials
We provide students with lecture notes that are completely integrated with teaching materials for practice classes. This allows us to decrease the number of lectures and increase the number of hands-on classes. Our teaching materials also include the research results of our own staff members.
Everyone teaches
One of our underlying principles is that lecturing staff must be involved in all aspects of our teaching program, which means our research informs our teaching. For example, academics delivering lectures in a first-year subject must supervise at least one pair of practice classes each week.
