Resources

John Biggs tackles how academics can improve their teaching in today's circumstances of large classes and diverse student populations. His approach is practical but not prescriptive. Teachers need to make decisions on teaching and assessment methods to suit their own circumstances. In order to do that they need a conceptual framework to inform their decision-making. Such a framework is clearly described and exemplified by this book. University teachers can readily adapt the ideas here to their own subjects and teaching conditions. (From the Publisher)

Laying the groundwork for a successful semester starts with the first day of class. Author Angela Provitera McGlynn tells that the first day is not the day to pass out a syllabus and let everyone go. Rather, it's the day to set the context for the rest of the semester. The author stresses the need for developing an atmosphere of respect for diversity while simultaneously providing a safe and exciting place to explore differences. Included are a whole variety of ice breakers and other exercises to keep students engaged and interacting. In addition, such vital issues as environment, motivation, and civility are addressed with suggestions for promoting positive interactions. (From the Publisher)

Effective moderation is a critical but often forgotten aspect of turning a netcourse or online discussion group into a goal-oriented learning community. This guide identifies principles and forms of dialog that support effective moderating, looks at key roles moderators play, and presents strategies for maintaining functional online groups. (From the Publisher)

The growing cultural diversity of American society is mirrored in the pews and parishes of mainline denominations and represents a dynamic challenge to the effective proclamation of the gospel on both Sunday mornings and in parish educational venues. When people from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds listen to the same sermon, it is more than likely that they will not "hear" the same message. Preaching to Every Pew, based on extensive field research, takes on the challenge of preaching in such a context. The authors map an approach to culture from four significant perspectives: ethnicity, class, displacement, and religious beliefs. They describe the significant ways in which culture influences human beings, detail how cultural influences affect and complicate communication in general, and preaching in particular, and then recommend practical strategies for improving communication in culturally diverse settings. Valuable both as a seminary text and as a text to help practicing pastors "re-tool" for more effective proclamation of the gospel. (From the Publisher)

Ten sets of disciplinary scholars respond to an orienting essay that raises questions about the history of discourse about teaching and learning in the disciplines, the ways in which disciplinary "styles" influence inquiry into teaching and learning, and the nature and roles of interdisciplinary exchange. The authors hope to "contribute to a common language for trading ideas, enlarging our pedagogical imaginations, and strengthening our scholarly work." Disciplines represented are: chemistry communication studies, engineering, English studies, history, interdisciplinary studies, management sciences, mathematics, psychology, and sociology. (From the Publisher)

A brief reflective article that summarizes the factors in fostering deeper learning: the degree of interest, relevance and challenge provided by the subject content, a workload which is not perceived as excessive by students, clarity and organization of classes, provision of a framework through the use of concept maps which demonstrate interrelationships, assessment instruments which reward deeper learning, and student involvement in their own learning through the use of strategies such as group work or negotiation of topics for subject assessment tasks.