Teaching Effectively From the Heart Kevin M. Johnston kmj@msu.edu

1. Teaching Effectively From the HeartKevin M. Johnstonkmj@msu.edu Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

2. If undergraduates had the chance, they would most want to evaluate TAs on the following issues: • [Their] Ability to clearly comprehend questions • Ability to answer in ways to meet multiple levels of understanding • Ability to communicate effectively • Classroom management abilities • Ability communicate clearly difficult concepts - MSU Communication Undergrads, Spring 2003 Survey Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

3. Higher Education Today(In America and Elsewhere) U.S. higher education has changed in the last 20 years (Or, has it?) : • Teaching and Learning Research • Teacher-centered vs. Student-centered Classrooms • Professional Demands Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

4. Organizational Strategies • How do I best to organize a Lecture or Discussion? • What do I need to consider to make my information easier to comprehend? • Is there a “Cultural” or “Learning Style” DIFFERENCE? Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

5. First – Order Principles Robert Boice, Ph.D. (1996) • Set a good classroom environment/Avoid negative thinking • Wait/Have Patience/Stop • Begin before feeling ready • Surrender commitment to content coverage • Welcome change • Let Others do some of the work Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

6. Presentation/Organization TIPS • Build Lectures around 3 – 5 Main Points • Begin with a Clear Agenda for the lesson • If possible, keep main points visible (On Board) – Or re-state them often • Consider Breaking into 15-minute segments • Punctuate lectures with review • Summarize clearly • Relate material to past and future lessons Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

7. TA/Student Interaction • What Do TAs Expect From Students? • What Do Students Expect From TAs? • What’s Causing the Problem? (What is the problem? Incivility?) Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

8. A Teaching Philosophy? • My students are……… • As a teacher, my students think I am… Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

9. “Wanted: Good Faculty” Talented History GS ISO a MENTOR. Intelligent, hardworking doctoral student with teaching and research experience seeks interested History faculty for professional guidance. Ph.D. in SOUTHERN HISTORY preferred. Sincere interest and honest care about the state of the profession, higher education, teaching, and research necessary. Some time commitment required, but experience guaranteed to benefit both. Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

10. TA Teaching Behavior • What would your students say about you as a teacher? (Does it matter?) • How are your opinions of your teaching abilities reflected (or not) in your evaluations? • If there’s a difference? Why? Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

11. “Faculty Behaving Badly”http://tap.msu.edu/PDF/thoughts/tt22.pdf • “Might not faculty misconduct in teaching provoke [the] growing problem of student misbehavior in the classroom [Braxton and Brayer, 1999 (brackets mine)]?” Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

12. The 7 Categories of Intolerable Teaching Behavior • Condescending Negativism • Poor Planning • Immorality • Uncommunicated Course Details • Unfair Grading • Poor Hygiene • Uncooperative Cynicism Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

13. What Do Students Say Are The Most Irritating Faculty Behaviors?http://tap.msu.edu/thoughts/tt10.pdf • Shows up late for class • Doesn’t show up for office hours • Doesn’t get to know students • Makes students feel stupid • Talks to the board • Doesn’t follow the syllabus - University of Tennessee, Knoxville FYS 1999 Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

14. Palmer’s Teaching Heart http://tap.msu.edu/PDF/2007/teachingThoughts2007.pdf • FIND IT: Who Are YOU as a Teacher? • FEED IT: How Do We Grow As Teachers? • FREE IT: How Is WHAT You Do, WHO You Are? Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

15. Teaching “Heart” (?) What Kind of Teacher Do You Want To Be? What Do You Want To Do as Faculty? How Will You Get There? Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

16. Discover! Who Are YOU as a Teacher? - Facilitator? - Coach? - Leader? - Dictator? - A Watering Can?/ Fire hose? Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

17. Nurture! How Do We Grow as Teachers? “Listening is Teaching. Talking is mostly Learning.” - Alice Dreger - By Taking Risks - By “Giving up The Chalk” - By “Shutting Up and TEACHING” Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

18. Sustain! How is WHAT you do, WHO you Are? • “Teaching is Reaching” • “Teaching is to Create Space” - Parker Palmer (1999) Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

19. Creating Space • What Opens Your Mind? • What Opens Your Students’ Minds? (What if We Can’t?) Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

20. “Teachers become students, students [teaching] peers, all working to achieve a greater understanding of their subject within a real world context” - Parker Palmer [brackets mine] Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

21. “The Universe Will Respond to What You Project” - Wayne Dyer You Have Tremendous Power (But Be Careful) Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar

22. WHAT’S NEXT? Teaching Effectively from the Heart - 2009 TA Seminar