Description
Book SynopsisThis book is a practical guide for professors who are interested in being more effective teachers. It encompasses all the things a professor must do to prepare to teach; to stimulate learning and love of learning; to understand and engage all students; and to help them find direction, purpose, and mission in their lives. The book recognizes the importance of instructors, and how the best teachers focus on inspiring lifelong learning, both in themselves and in their students. Good teaching is rooted in good values, not the mastery of content alone. Caring, empathy, and compassion are important. The highest value of a teacher may often lie in the mentorship she can provide to her students. Discover how to convey passion and enthusiasm to students, and how to motivate your students to want to learn and participate. The book describes active learning approaches and how to make lectures more effective. It also recognizes the moral responsibility professors have to help the less talkative me
Trade ReviewChris Palmer’s College Teaching at its Best is a wonderful new book. Wisdom pours out of it like a river. Its brisk and lively chapters urge teachers to keep working to improve themselves in the classroom as they demonstrate concern for their students and demand steadiness and hard work in return. As Palmer says, you’re not teaching if the students aren’t learning. Teachers have to accept responsibility when classes aren’t performing up to their expectations; they have to model the vitality and conscientiousness they expect from their charges. He also dares to take on the question of reforming tenure, a system that in too many cases has become a shelter for classroom mediocrity. I can’t recommend this book too highly and I hope it will catch on widely among faculty members everywhere. -- Patrick Allitt, Cahoon Family Professor of American History, Emory University
Chris Palmer's book is one of the most unexpected, intelligent and compassionate guides I have ever read, and that includes guides I have read to just about anything--cooking, golfing, gardening, you name it. One of our nation's greatest and least acknowledged problems is the lousy teaching that goes on in even our best universities. Palmer became a professor late in life, which may be why his book is so good. He had no long-term career ambitions to distract him. He just wanted to help students. He started asking students and other professors how to do that best. The result is a joy to read. -- Jay Mathews, Washington Post columnist
In this accessible and personal book you will find insight and utility in equal measure. Chris Palmer writes from varied and well-mined experience about the relational basis to teaching and the importance of connecting to all students with passion and caring. Wise and practical, this is a helpful resource to professors at any stage of their teaching career. -- Stephen D. Brookfield, Distinguished University Professor and John Ireland Endowed Chair, University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis-St. Paul
Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Realize the importance of professors Chapter 2: Manifest good values Chapter 3: Create an effective syllabus Chapter 4: Establish a philosophy of grading Chapter 5: Harness the power of caring Chapter 6: Convey your passion Chapter 7: Promote active learning Chapter 8: Support and encourage quiet students Chapter 9: Make large, lecture-based classes feel smaller Chapter 10: Add variety to your class Chapter 11: Finish the semester strong Chapter 12: Be responsive to students Appendix I: Teaching Workshop Handout, by Chris Palmer Appendix II: Finding a Great Mentor, by John Richardson Appendix III: Teaching as Performance Art, by Thomas Kaufman Appendix IV: Rethinking Tenure, by Chris Palmer Notes Index About the Author
