What makes a good college teacher? This book provides an evidence- based answer to that question by presenting a set of "model teaching characteristics" that define what makes a good college teacher. Based on six fundamental areas of teaching competency known as Model Teaching Characteristics outlined by The Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP), this book describes how college faculty from all disciplines and at all levels of experience can use these characteristics to evaluate, guide, and improve their teaching. Evidence based research supports the inclusion of each characteristic, each of which is illustrated through example, to help readers master the skills. Readers learn to evaluate their teaching abilities by providing guidance on what to document and how to accumulate and organize the evidence. Two introductory chapters outline the model teaching characteristics followed by six chapters, each devoted to one of the characteristics: training, instructional methods, course content, assessment, syllabus construction, and student evaluations. The book: -Features in each chapter self-evaluation surveys that help readers identify gaps between the model characteristics and their own teaching, case studies that illustrate common teaching problems, discussion questions that encourage critical thinking, and additional readings for further exploration. -Discusses the need to master teaching skills such as collaborative learning, listening, and using technology as well as discipline-specific knowledge. -Advocates for the use of student-learning outcomes to help teachers better evaluate student performance based on their achievement of specific learning goals. -Argues for the development of learning objectives that reflect the core of the discipline‘s theories and applications, strengthen basic liberal arts skills, and infuse ethical and diversity issues. -Discusses how to solicit student feedback and utilize these evaluations to improve teaching. Intended for professional development or teacher training courses offered in masters and doctoral programs in colleges and universities, this book is also an invaluable resource for faculty development centers, college and university administrators, and college teachers of all levels and disciplines, from novice to the most experienced, interested in becoming more effective teachers.

An Evidence-based Guide to College and University Teaching outlines a definition of "model teaching" based on research evidence and accepted best practices in high education. Teachers at all levels of skill and experience can benefit from clear, objective guidelines for defining and measuring quality teaching. To fulfil this need, this book outlines six fundamental areas of teaching competency—model teaching characteristics—and provides detailed definitions of each characteristic. The authors define these essential characteristics as training, course content, the assessment process, instructional methods, syllabus construction, and the use of student evaluations. This guide outlines through research and supplemental evidence how each characteristic can be used toward tenure, promotion, teaching portfolios, and general professional development. Additional features include a self-assessment tool that corresponds to the model teaching characteristics, case studies illustrating common teaching problems, and lists of "must reads" about college teaching. An Evidence-based Guide to College and University Teaching describes how college faculty from all disciplines and at all levels of their career – from graduate students to late-career faculty – can use the model teaching characteristics to evaluate, guide, and improve their teaching. The book is additionally useful for teachers, trainers, and administrators responsible for promoting excellence in college teaching.

This pithy yet thorough book provides an evidence-based guide on how to prepare for online teaching, especially for those who are making a swift transition from face-to-face to online instruction. Guided by the Model Teaching Characteristics created by The Society for the Teaching of Psychology, this book covers important topics like: how to adapt to expected and unexpected changes in teaching, how to evaluate yourself and your peers, and tips on working smarter/optimizing working practices with the resources available. The features of the book include: Practical examples exploring how to solve the typical problems of designing and instructing online courses. Interactive "Worked Examples" and "Working Smarter" callouts throughout the book which offer practical demonstrations to help teachers learn new skills. Further reading and resources to build on knowledge about online education. End of chapter checklists which summarizes suggestions about how to be a model online teacher. This essential resource will provide support for teachers of all levels and disciplines, from novice to the most experienced, during the transition to online teaching.

This volume offers a compAndium of the best ideas, analyses, and practices relating to the undergraduate curriculum as described by leading figures in the field. It contains both conceptual and practical information on effective practices, research, management, and assessment. In thirty-four original chapters, top practitioners and scholars detail a range of philosophies, frameworks, program designs, instructional strategies, and assessment methods being used to strengthen and transform the curriculum. They examine both the current state of knowledge and teaching in the disciplines and the forces that will reshape the curriculum in the coming years. The Handbook of Undergraduate Curriculum will prove valuable both to practitioners—as an operating manual or desk reference—and to faculty as a primary text for graduate courses on the curriculum. In addition, the book will be a useful tool for those serving on a general education curriculum committee or conducting a departmental review of a major program, as well as having numerous other practical applications for anyone with responsibility for or interest in the curriculum.

Lecturers in universities, polytechnics or colleges have often had no teacher training and frequently lack practical advice on how lectures, seminars or tutorials should be approached and organised. Many also require guidance on planning course content, preparing teaching materials, using teaching aids and assessing students' work. This book offers practical advice and guidance along with tables, examples of teaching materials and illustrations to support the topics covered in each chapter. A guided reading section at the end of each chapter evaluates further reading.