Resources

A short article in which a teacher-scholar defines what she means by “active and meaningful learning,” discusses unstructured cooperative learning and critical thinking, and reflects on experience in using these concepts in the courses she teaches and the textbooks she writes. Idea Paper no. 34, from the series developed by the Center for Faculty Evaluation and Development, Kansas State University.

Reviews 20 principles or steps in an effective faculty evaluation system, arguing that while most institutions’ claim that the purpose of their fculty evaluation system is the improvement of teaching, the primary purpose is actually almost always to make personnel decisions. Idea Paper no. 33, from the series developed by the Center for Faculty Evaluation and Development, Kansas State University.

Describes the seven areas that should be considered when evaluating teaching: subject matter mastery, curriculum development, course design, delivery instruction, assessment of instruction, availability to students, and administrative requirements. Idea Paper no. 21, from the series developed by the Center for Faculty Evaluation and Development, Kansas State University.

An article that reviews progress scholars and institutions have made to reshape the potential connections between faculty research and student learning, since Ernest Boyer’s landmark 1990 essay, “Scholarship Reconsidered” – developing our understanding of the research evidence, focusing on course design, and starting to reshape institutions.

Makes suggestions regarding questioning techniques that are appropriate for lecture classes as well as for discussion groups. Idea Paper no. 31, from the series developed by the Center for faculty Evaluation and development, Kansas State University.

Collected here, without examples or detailed explanations, are practices that constitute excellence in college teaching. These elements represent the broad range of the most effective actions teachers take, and requisite conditions teachers establish, to facilitate learning.

Aimed at students, this site is a user-friendly bulleted list of briefly treated topics, all related to college study skills and how to learn.

Data and analysis-rich article (2003) in “Educause,” an education journal, focused especially on the “millennial generation” and computer technology. The author discusses how the learning styles, attitudes, and aptitudes of today's "new students" vary depending on age, experience, and preferences, requiring colleges and universities to find a variety of ways to meet students' expectations.

University of Texas guidebook for teacher portfolio.

The University of North Dakota provides this online “handbook” to its faculty to help them navigate the university’s teaching evaluation process. The site provides lots of helpful reminders of what to keep in mind when critically evaluating your own teaching.