Notes on Teaching and Learning

In last week’s blog post we discussed generating learning goals and planning assessments for your course. Now that you’ve decided what you want your students to learn and how you’ll evaluate their learning, it’s time to translate these plans into a syllabus and a semester of learning activities. Syllabus Design In addition to serving as an informational […]

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As another semester draws to a close and summer is upon us, now is the perfect time to wrap up your courses on a strong note.  To help you do so, make sure to: Reflect Upon the Semester and Take Notes on It.  Are there some things you thought went really well this semester or […]

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It’s hard to believe, but the last day of class – April 29th- is just around the corner! Have you thought about how you want to end the semester? We typically put a lot of thought in to the first day of class, but sometimes fail to put the same effort into the last day. […]

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Debates can be an effective and engaging way for students to analyze different concepts and to develop critical thinking and public speaking skills. They are also a useful technique for achieving greater participation in class and for discussing controversial issues in a structured environment. The Kaneb Center recently hosted a workshop on using debates in […]

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The Kaneb Center recently hosted a workshop on facilitating discussion in the social sciences and humanities. The panel was led by four Notre Dame faculty members who utilize discussion in their classes, and provided reflections on and methods for leading effective discussions. Below are some of the highlights of the workshop: Panelists: JoAnn DellaNeva, Associate Dean […]

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There are many exciting ways to conduct our classes that veer away from the traditional lecture format and enhance students’ learning experiences. Some of these include flipped classrooms, active learning activities, and using technology in the classroom. It might feel intimidating to try something new when we are so used to the traditional lecture method, but there […]

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Nearly everyone who has taught a college course is familiar with the significance of student teaching evaluations. They are an important component of job applications, promotion and tenure portfolios, and the self-efficacy of many professors. While these evaluations receive a great deal of attention and are certainly a key measure of teaching effectiveness, a second […]

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Happy Spring Break!  Are you looking for some great readings on teaching and learning to enrich your break?  Then look no further than the Kaneb Center’s library!  Here are some of our favorites that we think you may enjoy as well: Teaching What You Don’t Know by Therese Huston. Make It Stick: The Science of […]

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A Selection of Education Research Teaching is tough. The students change every semester along with the field and while you are filled with ideas to improve or update a class, you are unsure if the time invested is worth it. There are never enough hours in a day and it can be easy to fall […]

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The following entry from the 2014-2015 Teaching Issues Writing Consortium: Teaching Tips was contributed by Rachel Winter, Eastern Kentucky University ————————————————————————————————————– “Lecturing to 15 students is much the same as lecturing to 90” (Dr. A, Professor of Biology, personal communication, 20 March 2014). The above quote was remarked by Dr. A during a classroom observation of his […]

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