The Teaching Professor

The Libraries have recently acquired a site license to The Teaching Professor, an online newsletter designed to assist faculty with the practical side of teaching. The Teaching Professor helps instructors to:

• Overcome obstacles to effective teaching
• Stay abreast of the latest pedagogical research
• Hear what’s working for colleagues “in the trenches”
• Hone skills and stay on top of teaching innovations
• Truly connect with students

Here's an excerpt from an article titled Faculty Self-Disclosures in the College Classroom from the April, 2007 issue: "While interviewing university faculty for a study about classroom communication, 'Jim,' a professor of history, made this comment about a colleague he had observed teaching: 'I was really amazed, when I saw him teach, how little of his personality you see.' This starkly contrasted with his perception of his own teaching style, about which he said, 'I try to use humor a lot. My dad says I just think funny, you know, and I do; it’s hard for me not to joke around.' This comment started me wondering about how much of ourselves we let our students see."

The articles in The Teaching Professor are brief and to the point. Worth a look.

--David C. Murray