GOOD PRACTICES in TEACHING S.A.M. Said King Fahd Univ. of Petroleum & Minerals Feb. 2012

Outline Quotes Learning Principles Good Teaching / Features of Effective Teaching Concluding Remarks

Quotes “ One of the greatest sins in teaching is to be boring” (Baughman, 1979, p. 28). “ I'm sure every one of us can name a teacher that's made a difference in our lives. They were the ones that seemed to understand us the best-or who challenged us the most ”(Stanford, 2000). “I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn” - Albert Einstein

Students Learning knowledge of basic learning principles is important. 95 % of the test questions require thinking at the lowest possible level ( recall of information): Bloom. Bloom identified six levels within the cognitive domain.

BLOOM'S TAXONOMY Knowledge: arrange, define, label, list, name, order, recognize, relate, recall, repeat, reproduce state. Comprehension: classify, describe, discuss, explain, express, identify, indicate, locate, recognize, review Application: apply, choose, demonstrate, employ, illustrate, interpret, practice, sketch, solve, use, write.

BLOOM'S TAXONOMY Analysis: analyze, calculate, compare, criticize, differentiate, distinguish, examine, test. Synthesis: create, design, develop, formulate, manage, organize, plan, prepare, propose, set up, write. Evaluation: appraise, argue, assess, compare, judge, predict, rate, select, support, value, evaluate.

Factors Influence Students’ Learning 1.The North American Approach:  The seven principles of good practice in undergraduate education. 2. The UK & Australian Approach:  Examines how students approach learning and how teachers approach teaching

Principle 1 Encourages Student-Faculty Contact  Talk with your students on a personal level  Learn about their educational and career plans

Principle 2 Encourages Cooperation Among Students  Team effort than a solo race  Good learning, like good work is collaborative and social, not competitive and isolated.  Working with others often: 1. increases involvement in learning 2. improves thinking 3. Deepens understanding Beginning with the first class have students participate in activities that encourage them to get to know each other

Principle 3 Encourages Active Learning  Students do not learn much by just listening  They Learn better if they: 1.Talk about their learning 2.Write about their learning 3.Relate it to past experiences and 4.Apply it to their daily lives  They must make what they learn a part of themselves. Ask your students to present their work in class

Principle 4 Gives Prompt Feedback  Return assignments and tests within a week. Principle 5 Emphasizes Time on Task  Time plus energy equals learning Expect your students to complete assignments promptly

Principle 6 Communicates High Expectations  Expect more and you will get it. Encourage students to excel at the work they do Principle 7 Respects Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning  There are many roads to learning Encourage students to speak up when they do not understand

Student-Centred Approach Involves more student-faculty contact Involves use of active learning strategies Involves appropriate assessment methods Involves clear expectations Involves regular formative feedback Involves more reasonable workload Involves more independence and choice by the students It is the teacher’s intentions and conception of learning that is critical in the concept of student-centred teaching

Good Teaching is About Motivating students to learn, but also teaching them how to learn. Doing your best to keep on top of your field. Listening, questioning, being responsive, and remembering that each student and class is different. Not always having a fixed agenda and being rigid, but being flexible. Style. Good teachers work the room and every student in it.

Good Teaching is About Humor. Caring, nurturing, and developing minds and talents. It's about devoting time, often invisible, to every student. Strong and visionary leadership and very tangible institutional support -- resources, personnel, and funds. Mentoring between senior and junior faculty, teamwork, and being recognized and promoted by one's peers. Having fun and intrinsic rewards... Good teachers couldn't imagine doing anything else.

Teaching that Enhances Learning The most efficient ways in Learning are: Motivate the students Stimulate their curiosity Project-oriented learning Problem based learning Student-centered learning … and the learning will follow by itself.

Features of Effective Teaching Effective Teaching is: - Evidence-Based - Conceptually underpinned - Focus on student learning outcomes, especially: * Thinking skills and “deep” learning * Lifelong learning (“learning to learn”)

Factors that detract from “deep” learning Heavy workloads - reasonable workloads is a key, even if it means reducing content “coverage” Exclusive use of lecturing - cut down on lecture time and extend individual study time and time for designated projects Assessment methods used - Assessment for learning and not of Learning

The emphasis are shifting away from what is taught to what students learn, understand, or discover Teachers who think at higher levels produce students who are higher achieving Brilliant teaching reflects scholarship, personal integrity and the ability to communicate with the students. Concluding Remarks

The Seven Principles of Good Practice based on research do enhance learning if implemented Effective teaching must result in “deep” learning and lifelong learning Continuous academic development is a must for enhancing student learning Concluding Remarks

Thank you