Countering the Zombie Factor

Abstract

This workshop identified and discussed some of the challenges to conducting effective tutorials when environmental and motivational factors intervene. Such factors include: the weather, the teaching space, the physical preparedness of students ( e.g. 'the Thursday hangover') and/or the teaching content. A range of activities were explored for getting the 'best' from students who want to give the 'least'. Some practical activities aimed at 'countering the zombie factor' were presented and tips for developing innovative tutorial activities were outlined. The main aim of this workshop was the idea of keeping learning encounters 'fresh, real, memorable and fun'.