Ten Teaching Techniques that You Might Try in 2011
Compiled by Andy Jones, The University Writing Program
Director, Center for Writing About the Future
1. Reflect Upon Learning Objectives
- Purpose of Undergraduate Education (UC Davis resource)
- Learning Objectives for the Major
- Learning Objectives for the Course (MIT Teaching and Learning Laboratory resource)
- Grading standards (Writing Program at UC Davis resources)
- Grading Criteria for each assignment (Andy Jones / TCS Resource)
- Strategies for Success
2. Create a Student Accountability Plan
- Questionnaire (Andy Jones resource)
- Self Assessment of Submitted Essay
- Instructor Assessment of Essay
- Action Plan for Improvement
- Short Accountability Report
3. Teach Hybrid / Online-Supported Classes
- Teaching online responsibly
- Managing the workload
- Considering substitutions for conversation
- Consider these 90 resources from Educause
- Consider the CSU Chico Rubric for Online Education
4. Consider Problem-Based Learning
- Problem-based learning (PBL) is a total approach to education. As defined by Dr. Howard Barrows and Ann Kelson of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, PBL is both a curriculum and a process. The curriculum consists of carefully selected and designed problems that demand from the learner acquisition of critical knowledge, problem solving proficiency, self-directed learning strategies, and team participation skills. The process replicates the commonly used systemic approach to resolving problems or meeting challenges that are encountered in life and career.
- PBL provides faculty another way to foster leadership skills in our students
5. Consider Twitter
- View the abstract of “How Twitter Saved my Literature Class: A Case Study with Discussion”
- Also, check out Group Tweet
6. Consider Updated iPad Opportunities
- PaperDesk for iPad now allows one to project a whiteboard
- Netflix for iPad and YouTube also now allows projection of streamed content. Will Pages be far behind?
- New multitasking opportunities in recent updates to the iPhone/iPad OS
- See Kathy Schrock on iApps That Project
- CBS interest in teaching with the iPad
- Digital publishing: Ebooks will change how we teach, read, and research
7. Expand Teaching with Blogs
- I’m currently teaching with www.AndysClasses.com
- Transparency in Education, in online teaching
- The SmartSite Blog Tool
- Opportunities for interactivity
8. Expand Teaching with Podcasts
9. Expand Teaching with Video / YouTube
- Embed YouTube videos in your PowerPoint presentations
- Check out Download Helper in Firefox
10. Use DropBox to store and access everything a digital scholar and professor needs.
