Lecture Theatre Pantomime: A creative delivery approach for teaching undergraduates

Abstract

Lecture theatre based teaching is common place pedagogic method in Higher Education especially when teaching large classes. Lecture theatre pantomime is an interactive and diverse teaching strategy that uses lecture theatres but aims to make sessions as interactive, diverse and enjoyable as small group tutorials. The Central Dogma of molecular biology was taught using a pantomime approach that included a 3D washing line and a handstand by the lecturer. Overall 90% of students found the pantomime delivery style enjoyable compared to more traditional non-pantomime lectures. Students in the pantomime lecture showed a statistically significant (p = 0.0009) improvement in student exam performance compared to the previous year’s cohort.