|
 BUY
THIS BOOK FROM BARNES AND NOBLE
Weimer,
Maryellen (1993). Improving
Your Classroom Teaching. Newbury Park, CA:
SAGE Publications.
Problem:,
most professors learn by experience. As a result, most
of their learning is intuitive and thus hard to quantify and
pass on. Though a research literature exists on teaching,
most rarely consult it.
Solution:
Meta-analysis has identified five interrelated components
of effective instruction common across disciplines, teachers,
and students:
-
enthusiasm
-
preparation
and organization
-
ability
to stimulate student thought and interest
-
clarity
-
knowledge
and love of the content
ENTHUSIASTIC
TEACHERS
-
spoke
in a more dramatic way
-
moved
around more, gestured more, & used more facial expressions
-
smiled,
laughed, and told jokes while teaching
-
didn’t
rely on prepared notes
-
were
free of distracting mannerisms
PREPARATION
AND ORGANIZATION
-
developed
well-prepared syllabi: specific goals and objectives,
specific calendar, and clear policies on grading, conduct,
and academic integrity
-
used
a variety of learning modes and learning activities
-
communicated
class structure by using outlines
-
assess
learning well: test their objectives with well-written
exam questions and a variety of assignments
STIMULATING
STUDENT THOUGHT AND INTEREST
-
question
students well (e.g., adequate time to answer)
-
don’t
intimidate students
-
handle
wrong answers constructively
-
provide
structure and closure for discussions without controlling
them
-
use
group work effectively: make tasks clear, give appropriate
amount of time for activity, and honor group products
-
use
collaborative learning (e.g., writing groups)
-
are
entertaining, but in the service of instruction
CLARITY
-
use
different methods to assess whether material is clear
to students: attention to nonverbal cues, questions, examining
students’ class notes and written products
-
review
their content delivery (e.g., taping and reviewing their
performances)
-
make
content relevant (e.g., by starting with a current event
and segueing to the topic)
-
use
examples that are accurate, clear, attractive, and transferable
-
solicit
examples from students
-
are
good storytellers
-
use
metaphors and analogies
-
use
demonstrations, simulations, and case studies
KNOWLEDGE
AND LOVE OF THE CONTENT
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