Discussion Topics How to be a good teacher How to balance teaching and getting a research program off the ground

Why do we teach? So that people learn

Who do we teach? students colleagues your chair, your dean the public program managers patent office …

Teaching Tips – Richard Felder

Developing a good course takes time learn good time management

What students learn < What you teach don’t just try to “cover” the material

Learning styles don’t “teach yourself”

Active learning “I hear, I forget; I see, I remember; I do, I understand” 2 minute paper

Teaching Large Classes – Mike Gustin

Large class teaching: tips Outline of class topics on board Avoid powerpoint where possible 1-2 sec pause between points Be intense Wait for questions, step into class Take a break in the middle

Large class teaching: issues Break into smaller groups? Clickers? Quiz at start of class? Notes on line?

Large class teaching: testing Exam topics predictable, exact question not Multiple choice plus short essay (best 5 of 7) Curve each exam, give letter grades Mean ± SD, mean = lowest point of B range; each SD one full grade (B-, B, B+)

Your First Year Teaching – Jane Grande-Allen Plan 6-8 hours of prep time per lecture Don’t expect perfection Do get feedback throughout the semester Don’t expect eager listening faces Do make the time to get to know your students or at least learn names Assignment tips Textbooks have typos Work the exams yourself Extra credit: not all that

After: Recap and Revise Fix the lectures that needed the most work irst Every few lectures, work in up to date data to keep things current Get a mentor and meet monthly. Go over how EVERYTHING has been for you Do attend teaching workshops

Evaluations Don’t take the evaluations too harshly “This professor actually discouraged independent thought…” “Dr. Grande-Allen is the most fair & considerate teacher I’ve had at Rice…” “Not enough engineering – too much biology” “The name of the course should surely be changed to Mechanical Properties of ECM because little or no chemistry or biology was discussed”

Time Management / Balance Set office hours and keep to them Give the same course lecture you gave last year Don’t say yes to every undergrad that wants to work with you Focus your time on learning what you need for the research you will be strongest at Do earlyWrite IRB and IACUCAttend regional training seminars by NIH and NSFSign up for grants mailing lists

Maintain Perspective Get a mentor and meet monthly! Colleagues, other young faculty Get to know some people and faculty outside the department Read At the Helm Check out a few blogs of other women in this position

Points for Discussion How to deal with absent or failing students The students are not like you were/are Should you recycle quizzes/exams? How accommodating should you be to student requests? Where did the day go? Protecting your time What is important and not important?

Compiled/Presented by Richard Baraniuk (ELEC) Mike Gustin (BCB) Jane Grande-Allen (BIOE) Yousif Shamoo (BCB)