Take a break this fall and check out a book on teaching or pedagogy from the Kaneb Center Library. Two recommendations from our staff are Teaching What You Don’t Know and Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning.
Teaching What You Don’t Know by Therese Huston is a well-researched and practical guide on how to not only survive but thrive when you are teaching a new class outside of your expertise. The book provides useful tips on a variety of topics ranging from structuring the class, coming up with engaging activities, and leveraging your lack of expertise to better relate to the students. The Kaneb Center highly recommends this book for new faculty, or for anyone who will be teaching a new class and is feeling unprepared.
Make It Stick by Brown, Roediger and McDaniel explores the science behind learning and memory and provides helpful suggestions on how to strengthen these skills. A combination of research studies and personal anecdotes woven together into an engaging narrative leads the readers through the common misconceptions of studying and how to overcome the illusions of mastery to really “make it stick” when learning something new.
If you are a graduate student and these types of books sounds interesting and you love teaching, consider applying to be a graduate student associate, see the call below.
Call for Applications:
The Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning seeks graduate students with teaching experience to serve as Kaneb Center Graduate Associates for Spring 2016 and the 2016-2017 academic year. Kaneb Graduate Associates facilitate workshops on effective teaching, develop teaching resources, and contribute to other activities to help graduate students and postdocs grow as teachers. This position is an excellent opportunity to develop as an instructor, a professional, and a leader.
Throughout the academic year, Kaneb Graduate Associates contribute an average of 5 hours per week, scheduled according to availability, and receive an hourly rate of $16.67. Graduate Associates attend weekly meetings with Dr. Kristi Rudenga, Assistant Directory of the Kaneb Center, during which they contribute content and ideas for Kaneb Center program planning. They will receive additional training in May (1.5 work days required; dates scheduled according to availability). In some cases, additional hours and additional pay may be available.
Applicants should have completed one or more semesters of TAing or teaching, preferably at Notre Dame, before holding this position. Postdocs may be eligible; contact krudenga@nd.edu for more information. Advisor and DGS approval will be required before hiring is finalized. Applicants must be in residence during the fall and spring semesters and must be available the week of August 15 for orientation events.
The Kaneb Center encourages applications that will help us to build a team diverse in culture, background, and academic discipline.
To apply, please submit the information below to kaneb@nd.edu by midnight, November 1, 2015. Interviews will take place in November 2015.
· Name
· Phone
· Email
· Department
· Current year in graduate school & anticipated year of graduation
· Paragraph describing your interest in this position
· Description of your participation in professional development activities in your department or elsewhere (teaching workshops, panel discussions, reading groups, etc…), as well as any leadership roles you have taken on in these activities.
· A 1-2 page summary of your teaching experiences, strengths, and strategies.
· Description of a workshop or seminar you would like to implement. These may be current programs that you will revise or programs that are brand new to the Kaneb Center.
Have a wonderful Fall Break.
