This presentation was compiled by Richard Baraniuk (ELEC), Mike Gustin (BCB), Jane Grande-Allen (BIOE), and Yousif Shamoo (BCB).
Discussion topics
How to be a good teacher
How to balance teaching and getting a research program off the ground
Why do we teach?
So that people
learn
Who do we teach?
students
colleagues
your chair, your dean
the public
program managers
patent office
…
Teaching tips – richard felder
Developing a good course takes time
learn good time management
What students learn<What you teach
don’t just try to “
cover ” the material
Learning styles
don’t “teach yourself”
Active learning
“I hear, I forget;
I see, I remember;
I do, I understand”
2 minute paper
Teaching large classes – mike gustin
Large class teaching: tips
Outline of class topics on board
Avoid powerpoint where possible
1-2 sec pause between points
Be intense
Wait for questions, step into class
Take a break in the middle
Large class teaching: issues
Break into smaller groups?
Clickers?
Quiz at start of class?
Notes on line?
Large class teaching: testing
Exam topics predictable, exact question not
Multiple choice plus short essay (best 5 of 7)
Curve each exam, give letter grades
Mean ± SD, mean = lowest point of B range;
each SD one full grade (B-, B, B+)
Your first year teaching – jane grande-allen
- Plan 6-8 hours of prep time per lecture
- Don’t expect perfection
- Do get feedback throughout the semester
- Don’t expect eager listening faces
- Do make the time to get to know your students
or at least learn names
Assignment tips
- Textbooks have typos
- Work the exams yourself
- Extra credit: not all that
After: recap and revise
- Fix the lectures that needed the most work irst
- Every few lectures, work in up to date data to keep things current
- Get a mentor and meet monthly. Go over how EVERYTHING has been for you
- Do attend teaching workshops
Evaluations
- Don’t take the evaluations too harshly
- “This professor actually discouraged independent thought…”
- “Dr. Grande-Allen is the most fair&considerate teacher I’ve had at Rice…”
- “Not enough engineering – too much biology”
- “The name of the course should surely be changed to Mechanical Properties of ECM because little or no chemistry or biology was discussed”
Time management / balance
- Set office hours and keep to them
- Give the same course lecture you gave last year
- Don’t say yes to every undergrad that wants to work with you
- Focus your time on learning what you need for the research you will be strongest at
- Do early
- Write IRB and IACUC
- Attend regional training seminars by NIH and NSF
- Sign up for grants mailing lists
Maintain perspective
- Get a mentor and meet monthly!
- Colleagues, other young faculty
- Get to know some people and faculty outside the department
- Read
At the Helm
- Check out a few blogs of other women in this position
Points for discussion
- How to deal with absent or failing students
- The students are not like you were/are
- Should you recycle quizzes/exams?
- How accommodating should you be to student requests?
- Where did the day go? Protecting your time
- What is important and not important?
Compiled/presented by
Richard Baraniuk (ELEC)
Mike Gustin (BCB)
Jane Grande-Allen (BIOE)
Yousif Shamoo (BCB)
