It looks like Jennifer meant to send this to the list, but sent it only to me. So, I am forwarding it to you all. Jeff Ricker
Hi all~ Jeff asked about essential qualities of undergraduate instruction... I agree with Louis and would add that a teacher (in any context) needs to be 100% committed to helping students succeed. In other words, not following what the standard framework/format of college courses are if your assessment of your students indicates other strategies are needed. It means taking your time to give thoughtful and detailed feedback on EVERY assignment. It means seeking student feedback/input and being flexible enough to accommodate their ideas/needs. My students fill out evaluations of the course and my teaching 4 times per term. Students pick up on the "little things" (offering out-of-class study groups with the instructor before each exam, sending an email to a student expressing concern when they've missed several classes, calling a student when you notice a major drop or increase in exam/assignment grades) and they rave about how it affects their motivation, self-confidence, and interest in the class. I make sure to actually USE thoughtful, student-generated suggestions for improvment of the course. It means that I have to be a little more flexible but my students say that this makes them take personal responsibility for their performance in the class. They recognize my efforts/availability, etc. and realize that they cannot reasonably blame anyone but themselves for failure or mediocrity. Up to this point, I have never had a student argue about a grade/fairness of a test, etc. (knock on wood ;-) I am SHOCKED by my students' evaluations in that they say that my level of committment to their success is RARE. I thought I was just doing what I had to in order to teach well. I guess it is more work to do these "little things" but to me, I win in the end because it prevents other, big problems and gets the students to work with me collectively rather than against me. Jennifer Jeff Ricker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > A question I am pondering: > > Regardless of the subject matter of a course, is there something that > you believe is essential to superior teaching at the undergraduate > level? > > Jeff > > -- > Jeffry P. Ricker, Ph.D. Office Phone: (480) 423-6213 > 9000 E. Chaparral Rd. FAX Number: (480) 423-6298 > Psychology Department [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Scottsdale Community College > Scottsdale, AZ 85256-2626 > > "The truth is rare and never simple." > Oscar Wilde > > "Science must begin with myths and with the criticism of myths" > Karl Popper > Doctoral Student/Teaching Fellow University of Pittsburgh 744 LRDC, 3939 O'Hara St. Pittsburgh, PA 15260 [EMAIL PROTECTED] (412)916-1690 ____________________________________________________________________ Get your own FREE, personal Netscape WebMail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com.
