One Professor’s Baby Steps

Why I was already doing it (sort of) without having heard of it: the intuitive approach. Why I was already doing it (sort of) without having heard of it: the intuitive approach. From “active learning” to “integrative learning.” From “active learning” to “integrative learning.” There’s no teacher like experience. There’s no teacher like experience. Learning from high school teachers. Learning from high school teachers.

1. Teach the students you have, not the ones you think you should have. 2. The university can make you the instructor of record for a given course, but it cannot make you any student’s teacher. Only the student can make you her teacher, by accepting you in that role. 3. Never say you teach the subject matter, not the students. The subject matter has nothing to learn from you. 4. The work you do for a course is less important than the work your students do. They learn less from it. 5. It is essential to challenge your students, but it isn’t enough. You must also believe in them, encourage them, and guide their efforts. 6. We all want to believe we have some share in our students’ successes. Their failures we tend to regard as their own. Rethink this. 7. Do not defend yourself against students’ responses to your teaching. Seek out their perceptions and work to comprehend them. Boredom, anger, silence, helplessness, apathy, rudeness, and resentment are all messages waiting to be decoded. 8. Make learning fun.

The “action news report” The “action news report” Staging a scene from Shakespeare Staging a scene from Shakespeare The People v. Othello The People v. Othello The Commonplace Book The Commonplace Book

This project needs a team of at least six student players, who will mount a performance of the final scene from The Winter’s Tale. This project needs a team of at least six student players, who will mount a performance of the final scene from The Winter’s Tale. This assignment will require the team to plan carefully: Props and wardrobe, director’s notes to the actors—responsibility for all aspects of theatrical production will be divided among team members. This assignment will require the team to plan carefully: Props and wardrobe, director’s notes to the actors—responsibility for all aspects of theatrical production will be divided among team members. Two kinds of written documents will be submitted at the time of performance: programs, written and prepared by the Dramaturge; and a rehearsal log, kept and submitted by the Stage Manager. Two kinds of written documents will be submitted at the time of performance: programs, written and prepared by the Dramaturge; and a rehearsal log, kept and submitted by the Stage Manager.

On 31 October 2007, the Moor of Venice will stand trial on our campus for the murder of his wife, Desdemona. On 31 October 2007, the Moor of Venice will stand trial on our campus for the murder of his wife, Desdemona. Each of you will play a role in this trial. Afterward you will each submit a critical essay assessing the nature and degree of Othello’s guilt. Each of you will play a role in this trial. Afterward you will each submit a critical essay assessing the nature and degree of Othello’s guilt. The text of the play must be your chief source of evidence. Research materials will be placed on reserve at the main library for you to consult. You may also bring in film clips from movie versions of the play. The text of the play must be your chief source of evidence. Research materials will be placed on reserve at the main library for you to consult. You may also bring in film clips from movie versions of the play.

OthelloTrial Packet Othello Trial PacketContents: 1. Assignment sheet *Roles and duties *Essay #2 2.Instructions for Legal Teams *Othello and the Law Law *Legal Teamwork *Evaluating the Teams Teams 3. Instructions for 3. Instructions for Characters Characters 4. Instructions for 4. Instructions for Jurors Jurors 5. Instructions for 5. Instructions for Media Hounds Media Hounds

What is a “Commonplace Book”? What is a “Commonplace Book”? The value of a personal investment The value of a personal investment The personal connection The personal connection Two examples... Two examples...