Tip - What Makes an Effective Teacher?
For our first Tip of 2009, here's a concise summary of strategies used by effective teachers.
You may also want to review CELT's course planning materials and first-day, first-week tips.
Announcement - Miller Faculty Fellowships Suspended for 2009-10
Due to the current budget crisis facing the university, funding for the Miller Faculty Fellowship Program has been suspended. The current request for proposals for this program due February 2 is canceled. CELT will be working with the President's Office to resume funding of the Miller Faculty Fellowship Program as soon as the overall budget situation improves.
FYI - CELT Needs Assessment Survey Is Still Open
CELT’s survey of ISU faculty and instructors will remain open until January 23. This survey will help CELT plan events that promote student learning, professional development of the teaching faculty and staff, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. If you are a member of ISU’s teaching faculty and have not responded to the survey, please check your email for the link. The CELT staff appreciates your help in improving teaching and learning at ISU.
Weekly News and Tip, January 8, 2009
Weekly News and Tip, August 21, 2008
What's This?
The CELT Weekly News and Tip email is sent each Thursday during the academic year. It contains a teaching tip, often related to issues that arise at a particular point in the semester; announcements of workshops and seminars; and other information useful for your teaching life. If you are receiving the Weekly News and Tip for the first time, welcome to Iowa State! If you wish not to receive this email or to receive it via a different email address, please contact celt@iastate.edu.
Tip - Be Ready for the First Day
As you assemble syllabi and prepare opening-day notes, be sure to note these ways of creating a positive learning environment at the start of the semester. These are CELT tips that have been linked by college and university teaching centers across the U.S. See:
Announcements - Revised TA Handbook is Online and in Print; New CELT Workshops To Be Online Soon
- New TAs received a new edition of the Teaching Assistant Handbook: Advice for New Teachers, which has been brought up to date by CELT program assistant Karen Bovenmyer. Other TAs and their supervisors can access an electronic copy, including expanded information for international TAs.
- Some of CELT's Fall 2008 workshops are already on line, and more are on their way.
FYI - FERPA Reminder
As the year begins, keep in mind your students' right to privacy under the FERPA act. Learn what ISU faculty and staff need to know.
Create a positive learning environment on day one of the semester
As an instructor, your approach on the first day is critical to creating a positive learning environment. Right from the start, your actions set the tone for the entire course. Regardless of class size, it is important to welcome the students, set clear expectations and create an environment that is conducive to learning. Engaging students in a large class, however, can present unique challenges.
- Welcoming students
- Classroom procedures
- Reviewing syllabus and note taking
- Interactive activities
- Managing a discussion
- Handing in papers and closing class
