Thoughts on Teaching
A Service of the MSU Teaching and Learning Listserve
Welcome to the TA Program's Thoughts on Teaching, an informal publication made available to participants in the MSU Teaching and Learning Listserve. During the fall and spring semesters, I'll introduce to you authors and their ideas about teaching and learning, or a concept I've recently come across in my own work or in conversations with colleagues. Some of these pieces will be philosophical in nature; others will focus on important practical tips and strategies to help you deal with daily issues as they come about in your teaching. Every Thought will have at least one practical suggestion you can put to use immediately. I have included a short bibliography of relevant works at the end of each piece. Collect these if you like. Put them in a three-ring binder with your MSU TA Handbook (Let me know if you need a copy. There is an PDF version you can download from our web site tool! (MSU TA HANDBOOK). I hope you find these both useful and thought provoking.
Warmest Regards,
Kevin Johnston
Curriculum Development Specialist
Director, MSU TA Programs
Entire Volume of Thoughts on Teaching
Teaching Thought 1 - Finding Your “Teaching Heart” – Parker Palmer
Teaching Thought 2 - Taking Risks in the Classroom
Teaching Thought 3 - Dealing With Teacher/Student Conflict and Diversity
Teaching Thought 4 - Increasing Student Input: Tips for Promoting Good Discussion
Teaching Thought 5 - Teaching Beyond Content
Teaching Thought 6 - Service Learning: What TAs Should Know
Teaching Thought 7 - Handling Classroom Conflict
Teaching Thought 8 - Writing to Learn: Learning To Write
Teaching Thought 9 - Resolving Graduate Student/Faculty Conflicts: Establishing Good Relationships with Faculty
Teaching Thought 10 - What Undergraduates Say are the Most Irritating Faculty Behaviors
Teaching Thought 11 - Teaching Labs More Effectively
Teaching Thought 12 - Teaching Principles as a Part of Teaching Practice: Worthwhile or Not?
Teaching Thought 13 - Creating the “Complete” Syllabus
Teaching Thought 14 - Making Small But Meaningful Changes to Your Teaching, Now!
Teaching Thought 15 - Arranging Not to Derange: Organizing Your Classroom Presentations So Students Know What’s Important
Teaching Thought 16 - “How Was I Supposed To Know What You Wanted?”: Effective Testing, Grading and Assessment
Teaching Thought 17 - Seeing Yourself on Video Tape and Liking It!: Teaching Consultations Aren’t As Painful as You Think
Teaching Thought 18 - What Are Some Students Really Saying in Their Teaching Evaluations?
Teaching Thought 19 - Outstanding MSU Teaching Assistants Talk about Their Teaching “Best Practices”
Teaching Thought 20 - Meta-Analyses of Present Research on The State of Graduate Education for Future Faculty
Teaching Thought 21 - How You Say It Can Make a Difference
Teaching Thought 22 - Faculty Behaving Badly