Jeff Ricker asked about elements that are essential for superior
teaching at the undergrad level. Great question! IMHO, here they are:
1. Knowledge: It is essential to possess an understanding of the
material we are teaching, at a level higher than that we expect our
students to master. I think that we lose a bit of credibility each time
we attempt to answer a student's question with only what was said in the
readings.
2. Enthusiasm: It is essential to enjoy the material, to believe in
its relevance and usefulness, and to convey that enthusiasm in
everything that we do. If we are not enthusiastic, I do not think that
most of our students will be.
3. Respect: It is essential to treat students with dignity AND expect
them to treat us with dignity AND expect them to treat each other with
dignity. This does NOT mean we should lower our standards of
excellence. But it does mean we should remember that students are
people with jobs, families, psychological challenges, physical
challenges, and a whole host of life tasks outside of their academic
work.
Dr. Barbara Watters
Mercyhurst College
Erie, PA 16546
