About this workshop

Teaching in small groups, such as postgraduate seminars or tutorials, offers a unique and dynamic experience that differs significantly from the conventional lecture, presenting both challenges and exciting opportunities. If you’re eager to develop more engaged, interactive, and inclusive small-group teaching practices, this session is tailor-made for you! Together, we’ll explore key strategies for establishing, managing, and concluding small to medium group learning experiences effectively. You’ll learn how to foster a sense of community and belonging within your groups, creating a safe and collaborative space where students feel empowered to share ideas and engage deeply with the material. We’ll discuss techniques for building rapport, encouraging active participation, and using structured activities to spark meaningful discussions. Whether you’re facilitating in-person or online, this session will equip you with practical tools to cultivate engagement, nurture critical thinking, and ensure every student feels valued and heard. Join us to transform your small-group teaching into a vibrant and impactful learning experience!

It is recommended that participants attend all five weekly sessions in this webinar series, but drop-ins for specific sessions are also welcome.

*Although the Teaching Skills & Knowledge Series sessions are intended to create opportunities for learning and support for newcomers to teaching in higher education, anyone may attend.

What previous attendees have said about this workshop:

• "I love the making sure people are in a safe, clear mind frame - the meditation. The specific approaches/tiles to how students learn and the hierarchy of facilitation, and their networked, dynamic relationship."
• "A tremendous thank you."
• "Thank you - great session!"

About the presenters

Ms Janine Carlse, Capacity Development Specialist, Office of Postgraduate Studies and Researcher Development

From 2020 to 2022, Janine Carlse was a lecturer on the Global Citizenship Programme at the University of Cape Town. In her current role as Capacity Development Specialist, Janine’s primary responsibility is to conceptualise, implement and ensure successful delivery of postgraduate development and academic transformation initiatives in line with certain strategic goals, and in partnership with various departments across the University of Cape Town.

Janine’s experience within the higher education sector includes a combination of research, project management and administration, stakeholder engagement and partnerships, working with civil society organisations, student academic support, tutoring, facilitation and lecturing.

Ms Shanali Govender, Lecturer, Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching

Shanali is a lecturer within the Staff Development unit at CILT. Although Shanali’s teaching experience began in secondary education, a return to higher education to pursue her own studies prompted a shift to an interest in the higher education landscape. She has worked (in varying capacities) in three South African institutions of higher education, and has strong interests in the scholarship of learning and teaching.

Her particular brief in the staff development team is to support part-time and non-permanent teaching staff. She currently teaches on the Postgraduate diploma in educational technologies, co-convening the Online Learning Design module. She has designed several online staff development short courses, and teaches on Core Concepts in Learning and Teaching, and An online introduction to Assessment. While continuing to work in the field of staff development at UCT, she is working towards her PhD, exploring the experiences of non-permanent staff who teach in higher education.

What level of study is the workshop aimed at?

Which faculty/faculties is the workshop aimed at?

While the workshop is aimed at certain levels of study and faculties, anyone is welcome to join, as long as any stipulated requirements are met, such as participation and/or preparation.

Requirements