Return to Teaching Evaluation Resources

Return to Teaching Resources

Incorporation of Student Interaction

Discussion technique engaging students active learning teaching effectiveness

Overview

For this category, teachers are rated on their encouragement of class discussion, on their openness to students criticizing their ideas, and on how well they relate to students as individuals.

MTSU Resources

LT&ITC Resources

From our library—
Bain, K. (2004). What the best college teachers do. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Davis, B.G. (2009). Tools for teaching. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.NEW EDITION!
Nilson, L.B. (2003). Teaching at its best: A research-based resource for college instructors. Bolton, MA: Anker Publishing.

Now you can view our library holdings online at www.librarything.com/ltanditc

Online Resources: Tips and Strategies

Techniques for improving discussion: Eberly Teaching Center helps you identify the source of the problem and then apply the appropriate remedy.

Relating to students as individuals: Learn more about your students: who are they and what ideas and conceptions about the subject matter are they bringing with them on the first day of your course?

Inviting criticism of own ideas is a way to assess students' understanding of course material as well as instill confidence in students by letting them know their ideas and feedback matters.

" Students appreciate knowing that an instructor has carefully considered what they have said. For example, if students report that they are often confused, invite them to ask questions more often. Keep your tone and attitude neutral; avoid being defensive, indignant, or unduly apologetic." Davis, B. G., Wood, L., and Wilson, R. ABC's of Teaching with Excellence: A Berkeley Compendium of Suggestions for Teaching with Excellence. Berkeley: Office of Educational Development, University of California, 1983.

Establishing Rapport--Personal Interaction and Learning, Neil Fleming. Good paper that identifies the elements of rapport and demonstrates how rapport between teacher and student improves learning.

Relating to Students: Displaying a personal interest in students is not only effective as a way to encourage participation and engagement, but necessary for real learning.

Indiana University Center for Teaching & Learning has a clearly organized page of tips relating to this category.

Discussion of a Way of Teaching, by Stephen Brookfield ( The Skillful Teacher) has prepared a lengthy handout on ways teachers can boost their discussion techniques.

Here is a good series of video tutorials on teaching strategies from Iowa State University. For more tutorials, visit our netvibe site.