Handouts

1. Handouts Urve Paaver

2. Handouts • Handouts are paper-based resources given out before, during or after a lecture • Handouts are used: • To provide information • To provide an opportunity for activity

3. Handouts as information • Full lecture notes • Summary of key points, learning outcomes or an outline of the lecture • Partial lecture notes • Additional material: diagrams, figures, tables • More information than could be presented in the lecture: a list of further reading and references

4. Handouts for activity I • Gapped handouts • Spaces for definitions, formulae, etc. • Incomplete definitions, formulae, etc. • Spaces for lists with headings • Spaces for graphs, diagrams, maps, flow charts, etc.

5. Handouts for activity II • Incomplete or unlabelled processes or sequences • Problems with space for answers • Interactive handouts • Individual or group activites with interactive handouts

6. The quality of handouts I • They should be • clear • readable • attractive • stimulating • well structured and organized • contain sufficient space for students notes

7. The quality of handouts II • The language of the handout should be simple and concise • Images and diagrams should be clear and unambiguous • Using clear font (such as Ariel) and font size of 12+ is important

8. When to hand out handouts • At the beginning of a lecture should be given out handouts with a summary of the key points of the lecture • If handouts contain additional material, reading lists or references then they can be given out at the end of the lecture • If the handouts can be given out at an appropriate moment during the lecture then they bearing in mind the slight disruption caused by their distribution

9. In summary • Hanouts are an important adjunct to contemporary lecturing practice. They have a wide range of styles and uses and if designed correctly and used appropriately can enhance the quality of learning.