GRAD 8101: Teaching in Higher Education

Course Goals

This course is designed to help graduate students and post-doctoral fellows become responsive and reflective teachers. The instructor, along with course participants, will model a variety of active learning strategies (e.g., cooperative learning, problem-posing, case study, interactive lecture, discussion, critical thinking, role-playing) and will facilitate discussions addressing educational theory and practice. By combining action and analysis, participants will explore and develop teaching skills that promote learning within a diverse student body across a variety of settings.

Overall, GRAD 8101 is designed and conducted with the intent of creating a "transformational" learning environment. Expect to be challenged to explore assumptions and to "think outside the box" created by a discipline. Expect to gain an understanding of the importance of reflective teaching practice. Expect to become aware of the elements of course and curriculum design. Expect to develop an appreciation for the learning paradigm in which teaching and learning are interdependent activities shaped by teachers and students together.

Course Objectives

As a result of taking this course, participants will be able to:

• begin to articulate a philosophy of teaching
• synthesize their academic and professional experience in a curriculum vitae
• construct, apply, and interpret the results of assessment tools measuring student learning and teaching effectiveness
• design a syllabus demonstrating the relationship between course objectives, content, and methodology
• demonstrate knowledge of active learning theory and practice
• analyze and manage classroom environments
• gain comfort and confidence with regard to teaching