What Is Effective

Classroom Teaching?
Kevin M. Johnston
MSU TA Programs
[email protected]
http://tap.msu.edu
Todays Presentation Goals
2009 TASEM - What is Effective
Classroom Teaching?
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Introduce Multiple Principles
Prompt Thinking About Class
Organization
Provide Guidelines for Presentations
and Discussion

2009 TASEM - What is Effective
Classroom Teaching?
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What Questions Do You
Have Right Now?
TA Seminar Binder Section II
(pgs. 35 75)
MSU TA Sections II - IV
2009 TASEM - What is Effective
Classroom Teaching?
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Is the old way of
teaching the best way?
Teaching and Learning Research
Teacher (Presenter) - centered vs.
Audience (Student)- centered
Approaches
Multiple Principles of Instruction

There is NO ONE CORRECT
Teaching Style
2009 TASEM - What is Effective
Classroom Teaching?
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Principles of Powerful Instruction
Steve Yelon, (1996) MSU Professor Emeritus
Meaningfulness, Prerequisites
Open Communication
Organized, Essential Ideas
Learning Aids
Novelty
Active Practice
Safe Spaces/Encouraging
Places
Consistency
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Classroom Teaching?
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Professor Yelons
Presentation Principles
Involve (To the Extent You Can)
Review/Summarize
Explain
Demonstrate
Question
Share Feedback
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Classroom Teaching?
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The ART of Presenting
art \rt\ noun: skill acquired by
experience, study, and observation
Set attainable goals ORGANIZATION
Use the best format/materials to meet
those goals - IMPLEMENTATION
Assess your progress regularly
SUMMARY and EVALUATION
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Classroom Teaching?
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Setting Presentational
Goals
What is your point?
Why is it important?
What should your
audience know?

There Is NO ONE Instructional
Format that is Best for
All Course Objectives
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Classroom Teaching?
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Key Principles of Good
Presenting
CLEARLY IDENTIFIED OBJECTIVES :
Identify Key Points First!
SENSITIVITY and ADAPTABILITY: Show
interest, listen, be open to change
PERIODIC SUMMARY: What have we
just covered? Why was it important?
2009 TASEM - What is Effective
Classroom Teaching?
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The Three Knows of
Presenting Effectively
Know your Subject
Know your Audience
Know the Context in which
youre presenting

2009 TASEM - What is Effective
Classroom Teaching?
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Knowing Your SUBJECT
Content (Is it enough?)
Content Organization (Is it Clear
Enough?)
Content Understanding (How Do
You Know THEY know enough?)
2009 TASEM - What is Effective
Classroom Teaching?
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Knowing Your Audience
Does AUDIENCE Matter, Really?
How Can We Know Them?
- Why are they there?
- Why are you there?
Is Audience Preparation Possible?
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Classroom Teaching?
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Know the Context
WHERE Are You Presenting?
WHAT Are You Presenting?
HOW & With or FOR Whom Are
You Presenting?
How Do Different Contexts Shape Your
Presentation Goals? Strategies? Approach?
What Great Teachers DO!
2009 TASEM - What is Effective
Classroom Teaching?
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Ken Bain - 2004
They are accomplished researchers
Their teaching is serious scholarship
They have high expectations
Create Natural Critical Learning Environments
They trust their students and are open with them.
Employ systematic and varied evaluation


Teaching MattersStudents Can Learn
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Classroom Teaching?
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Possible Presentation
Stages
Introduction including connections to
other material
Material Body 15-minute segments
Periodic Summary after each 15-minute
segment
Conclusion End with a bang, reconnect
to main points ,connect to upcoming
materials,
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Classroom Teaching?
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What About Other Basics?
Clothes?
Body Language?
Establishing Rapport?
(Pre -presentation, During, Post -
presentation)
What About Using Technology?
When?
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Classroom Teaching?
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Present Like You Mean It !
Prepare and Practice But Be
Willing To Let Learning Happen
Share Your Passion And Recognize
the Light Bulb When it Goes Off.
Enjoy the Space that Good
Presenting and Good Teaching
Creates for You and Your Students.
2009 TASEM - What is Effective
Classroom Teaching?
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Stimulating Effective
Classroom Discussion
Start out strong
Allow time
Its not about you
Develop and implement ideas
Set goals and meet expectations
Chris Womack - JMU
2009 TASEM - What is Effective
Classroom Teaching?
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Taking Risks in the Classroom
Whats RISKY? For you? For the class?
A little PAIN is a good thing (?). (Or
not?)
The First Day of class is a fine place To
start (but)
SPACE can happen (If you let it).
Chickering and Gamson (1987)
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Classroom Teaching?
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Encourages Student-Faculty Contact
Encourages Cooperation Among Students
Encourages Active Listening
Provides Prompt Feedback
Emphasizes Time on Task
Communicates High Expectations
Respects Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning
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Classroom Teaching?
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Whats Next?
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Classroom Teaching?
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Powerful Principles of
Instruction
- Yelon 1996
Meaningfulness/Prerequisites (Context)
Open Communication (Relationship)
Organized, Essential Ideas (Main Points)
Learning Aids (Technology)
Active Practice (Work with Information)
Safe Spaces/Encouraging Places (Comfort)
Consistency (Dependability)

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Classroom Teaching?
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First Order Principles
- Robert Boice, Ph.D. (1996)
Set a good classroom environment/Avoid
negative thinking
Wait/Have Patience/Stop
Begin before feeling ready
Surrender commitment to content coverage
Welcome change
Let Others do some of the work
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Classroom Teaching?
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What do these 2 Lists Share?
Environmental Concerns
Preparation Concerns
Pacing Concerns
Relational Concerns
Content Concerns

Classroom Management
Concerns: Creating
Workable Space

http://tap.msu.edu/PDF/TT2009.pdf
2009 TASEM - What is Effective
Classroom Teaching?
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Who Do You Want To Be
Professionally?
http://tap.msu.edu/faseb2008/teachingphilosophydevelopment /