ENroute Yearbook 2017-18
They had to bring more seats!
Mavis Gutu, The Business School, Fellow
I became a Fellow of the HEA in February 2018. The engagement with ENroute
started from the application stage of my fellow membership, acquiring fellowship
status and beyond. The continued involvement has triggered the desire to pause and
reflect by penning down my thoughts on my teaching and learning practice.
As an Associate Lecturer/Global Online Tutor and PhD candidate, I had a desire to
pursue new ways of enriching my teaching and learning skills that could enhance the
student learning experience. My studies and extensive engagement in research have
deeply influenced the way I deliver teaching and learning, both face-to-face and on
global virtual learning platforms.
I design my lectures and tutorials to be creative by linking theory to practice, bringing
in current and real economic and socio-political events that shape the economic
and political environments. This brings subject matters to life and arouses students’
curiosity and eagerness, while activating enthusiastic participation. The use of
practical and current information and events enables better student engagement
and participation in the lectures and tutorials. Increased student numbers were
observed in tutorial classes, and active interaction and interest by students was
evidenced in larger classes, and over-attendance in tutorials, often resulting in
bringing in more chairs into the tutorial classroom. These are the joys brought about
by practical, interactive and innovative teaching methods!
7