Next Meeting - February 25, 2008
New ways and ideas to help professors cope in the classroom.
Kathleen Turner, Elizabeth Connor, Martha Henderson, Jennifer Turner, Ken Brannan, Bill Brannock, Joe Nave (GA)
Topics in this session ranged from teaching students the syllabus, group work, and lecturing
Below are a few comments from the professors...
#1 Here’s one thing that doesn’t work:
Haughtiness
In one of my first graduate courses, I was feeling a bit insecure about my ability to teach at the graduate level, so I made a point to mention my qualifications/past achievements on the first day of class. I didn’t know it until my evaluations came back at the end of the semester, but a couple of students found my remarks to be boastful and annoying; I had turned them off from the start!
#2 Here’s one thing that does work at The Citadel:
Use of Familiar Scenarios for Analogies
Students love it when I use military analogies to help them understand cellular activities. Such analogies have been particularly useful in describing how various cells of the immune system “fight” infection.
#3
I learned this from a CASTLE colleague…make them work harder than you in the classroom. I punctuate discussion with activities that require them to think, write and share. Most readings require reflective writing.
#4
Resist all temptation to read over the syllabus in class. Instead, plan an activity that requires thorough knowledge of the syllabus' content.
#5
It is important for teachers to sell what they are teaching to their students. Students have to buy into what is being taught. Tell them why they are doing it. Teachers have to work hard as well.
#6
Make sure that students understand their syllabus. Have them mark important dates and record them in their assignment book.
#7
Quiz the students on the syllabus
#8
Don’t go over every page (syllabus). Hit the important topics. Do not read directly from your handouts. Be available for questioning but do not read verbatim.
#9
Cover the basics. Tell them when the tests are. Have them copy the syllabus and put it in their notebook. Make them be accountable. Make sure they know the rules of the class i.e. Are you allowed to work together?
#10
Include your grading standard. The students want to know how they are being graded. Explain the methods used.
#11
Students are positive thinkers about grades. They need to be more realistic about where they stand. They think that somehow there are getting an “A”.
#12
Tell them to utilize campus support groups. Tudors/OASIS/The writing center.
#13
Group projects- Give peer reviews. Rate the quality of the material. Have the class rate a presentation. Students tend to be very realistic, they get to explain why they are rating the way they are.
#14
Give an individual grade for specific parts of projects. Also, give an overall grade for the entire group. Make students accountable for their work in groups. Have the students rate their members periodically. Are members of the group loafing?
#15
I wish i had known about the sleeping issue at The Citadel. How do I address this situation?
#16
Professors have the option of
“white slips.”
#17
I came to the Citadel thinking that everyone would be disciplined because this was a military college. Not so different than other universities.
#18
The culture in the barracks influences the cadets and it is very important to them.