Resources
A 13 page document from Stanford University's Center for Teaching and Learning, including short pithy, creative, and encouraging "Ten Commandments" of best practices (pdf).
A book excerpt that discusses a variety of ways to improve classroom discussion: getting students to view problems more critically and creatively, analyzing how teachers group students for instruction, pace a discussion, and use questioning and listening to engage students.
An article that looks at several ways to promote successful classroom discussions to increase students' comfort with the specialized language and methods of a field, develop critical thinking, and develop problem-solving skills.
A book chapter excerpt that describes the use of student portfolios, discusses the underlying philosophical approach of student portfolios, outlines where the student learning occurs. and describes assessment measures.
RubiStar is an online generator of assessment rubrics for student projects of all kinds: writing, oral, reading, multimedia, etc.
A brief annotated list that succinctly articulates what we mean by “critical thinking, assembled by the Foundation for Critical Thinking.
Provides an integrated package of 15 topical Webinars, an eNewsletter, printable and online resources, and the AS Cafe (live chat room), to help departments prepare and support their part-timers more effectively. Requires an institutional site license.
A national program with the goal of "transforming the way aspiring faculty members are prepared for their careers,” with programs at more than 45 doctoral degree-granting institutions to help doctoral students understand and prepare for faculty duties (teaching, research, and service). A summary of the experiences of the 45 programs is available as a pdf on their website.
Provides resources for department chairs, directors of graduate studies, graduate faculty, graduate deans, and others interested in the quality of graduate education. Produced by Vanderbilt University’s Center for Teaching.
A brief 4 page essay providing theory and research, strategies, and “how-to” for designing collaborative learning experiences in small groups, in order to enhance students’ critical thinking, self esteem and the acceptance of others, and improve interpersonal effectiveness. IDEA Paper no. 38, from the series developed by the Center for Faculty Evaluation and Development, Kansas State University.