First-Order Principles for College Teachers: Ten Basic Ways to Improve the Teaching Process

This book discusses the first order principles (FOPs) of college teaching and their role as the easiest route to working happily and successfully in the classroom. Part 1 lists the 10 principles: (1) moderate classroom incivilities with pro-social immediacies; (2) wait actively for the fruits of one's teaching efforts; (3) begin before feeling ready; (4) work and teach in brief, regular sessions; (5) stop a lesson in a timely fashion; (6) moderate over-attachment to content and overreaction to criticism; (7) moderate negative thinking and strong emotions; (8) let others do some of the work, (9) welcome learning and change; and (10) build resilience by limiting wasted efforts. Part 1 also summarizes research showing that FOPs work. Part 2 discusses metacognitions about FOPs for teaching. This section focuses on recognizing society's real objections to efficient teaching; the key elements of efficiency; and mastering efficiency. Some sections contain references. Contains 59 references. (From the Publisher)