Dr. Laura's Teaching Tips
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Helping You Help Others Learn |
Eight Rules to Teach By:
Here are eight rules I try to remember each time I step into the classroom. I hope that some—or all of them—may be useful to you:
1. Be prepared.
If I’m not prepared, students notice. This gives them incentive to show up unprepared the next time class meets.
2. Know your students.
By taking attendance, learning students' names or making any extra effort to get to know who they are makes a big difference. For tips on getting to know your students, see our section on “icebreakers”: http://adulted.about.com/cs/icebreakers/a/icebreakers.htm
3. Mix it up.
We all have different learning styles. The great joy I find in teaching my classes often comes from trying to figure out creative ways to present material. I try to maintain a mix of lecture, group work, web work, in-class writing and discussion to cater to a variety of learning styles.
4. Keep expectations clear.
At all times. I’ve turned to using grading rubrics. These take more time to prepare, but save a lot of time in the end. For some samples of grading rubrics, see some we have posted from our spring 2007 FOSL lead by Dr. Margie Kiter-Edwards: Grading Rubrics
5. Be learning centered.
My teaching may be perfectly clear and organized to me. However, it may not be to my students. Always take time to assess what they are learning. Great teaching does not always equal great learning.
6. Evaluate often.
I recommend that everyone do a midterm evaluation. This gives time to make some changes before the final evaluations at the end of the term. I even recommend brief “check-ins” every three weeks. For quick evaluations, mid-term evaluations and other assessment tips, visit our link: EvaluationTips
7. Know your resources.
Help is right around the corner for our students. I’ve started to advertise the Academic Support Center and the Counseling Center right on my syllabus.
8. Enjoy yourself.
Remind yourself often why you chose to do this. You do make a difference in the lives of our students.