How Does Learning and Teaching Take Place

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Mechanics of Learning/Teaching

• How Does Learning and Teaching Take Place?

D.J. Tedeschi, Department of Physics and Astronomy
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How Does Learning/Teaching Take Place?
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Mechanics of Learning/Teaching
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Preparation

• Do
• Complete the lab assignment yourself!
• Become expert in the equipment/technique.
• Know what is expected of the students from
  lecture.
• Read the textbook!
• Know what is expected of you
• Communicate with your professors and students.
• Dont!
• Guess
• Its ok to say I dont know, Ill get back to
  you

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Preparation Will Make You a Better Teacher

• Communicate the goals of the lab better
• Why are we here today?
• How does this connect to the lecture material?
• Recognize successful measurements
• Value ranges at a glance, equipment settings
• Understand likely areas for errors
• Identify student problems quickly and easily

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Teaching Approaches
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Teaching Approaches
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Lecture-Listen

• Advantages
• One instructor can teach many students.
• We are all used to this approach.
• Disadvantages
• Communication is mainly one way (passive
  learning).
• Students can be disengaged.
• Do
• Foster interaction with students.
• Write large and speak loud

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Peer Instruction Students Teaching Students

• Advantages
• Peers understand mindset and communicate better
  with each other.
• Students tend to be more engaged take ownership
  of the ideas.
• More bilateral communication between TA and
  student.
• Disadvantages
• Requires more time and manpower
• Students need to work in small groups with
  teachers as facilitators
• Do
• Learn to encourage this type of interaction with
  your lab groups.

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Self-Discovery

• Advantages
• Most effective form of learning active
  learning.
• Ideas discovered are integrated into overall
  knowledge.
• Disadvantages
• Requires dedicated effort by student.
• Requires a lot of time to facilitate.
• Requires special assignments.
• Do
• Encourage investigation in the lab.

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Interacting with Students

• Do
• Express the goal of the experiment
• Help the students see the big picture
• Take the lab beyond cookbook
• Stay engaged the entire class period
• Get to know your students well.
• Opportunity for one-on-one teaching!
• Know who you are
• What is your style
• Dont
• Sit on the side and wait for students to come to
  you.
• Do not escalate a bad situation.

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Interacting with Professors

• Do
• Ask questions regarding his/her expectations for
  the lab.
• Grading, assignment objective, etc
• Communicate often
• Notify immediately if you have concerns
• Equipment
• Student situation
• Schedule emergency
• Dont
• Dont wait until there is a problem!

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Closing the Loop

• Assessment is more than grading!
• Do
• Have a system for grading
• Make sure the students know this system
• syllabus
• Keep backups of all your class grades
• Communicate grades to Professors often during the
  semester
• Use all this information and reflect on your
  contribution
• Could you have explained an idea in a better way?
• Could you have spoken with a student in a
  different manner?

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Time Management

• Do
• Make yourself available to students.
• Office Hours, email, etc
• Anticipate peak visiting time.
• Just before due dates.
• Plan your lessons, days, weeks.
• Keep a written schedule
• Dont
• Try to do it all in your head.

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Traits of a Good Teacher

• A good teacher
• Plans well and is prepared (practice!).
• Is organized and manages time well.
• Communicates well.
• Is receptive to feedback.
• Observes safety rules.
• Respects all students.
• Is enthusiastic.
• Is patient.
• Cares about the students.

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Summary

• The teaching process is cyclical.
• Good teaching (like learning) takes effort.
• Good teachers have tremendous impact and are
  remembered by their students for a long, long
  time.