The Art of Teaching: Best Practices from a Master Educator

Overview

Reshape the way you think about and approach teaching in this comprehensive course, delivered by an award-winning professor and distinguished teacher. Teaching is more than a job; it’s one of the greatest responsibilities in civilized society. However, it requires craft, sensitivity, creativity, and intelligence. Whether your classroom consists of 3 students or 300, being an effective teacher is crucial for both your students and your own professional and personal growth.

The Art of Teaching: Best Practices from a Master Educator is designed to help you achieve new levels of success as a teacher. These 24 lectures will enhance your teaching style, provide invaluable methods and tools for handling various teaching scenarios, and open your eyes to how other educators approach this life-changing profession.

Course Content

01: Successful Teaching

What makes a good teacher? What makes a great one? Professor Allitt outlines the structure of the following lectures and introduces you to other veteran Great Courses professors. (33 min)

02: The Broad Range of Learners

Discover the strong relationship between teaching and learning. Learn how lifelong learning habits are cultivated by listening to students share their insights. (28 min)

03: Starting Out Right

Learn how to make the most of your first class meeting by getting to know your students’ names, demonstrating the importance of your subject, and establishing expectations. (29 min)

04: The Teacher’s Persona

Explore ways to develop your teaching persona, including establishing guidelines, using personal characteristics to your advantage, and avoiding pitfalls. (28 min)

05: Planning the Work

Understand what you want your students to learn and how to teach your subject effectively. This lecture focuses on the art of planning to strengthen your teaching confidence. (30 min)

06: The Teacher-Student Relationship

Listen to teachers and students discuss the importance of maintaining responsible and productive teacher-student relationships. (32 min)

07: Dynamic Lecturing

What makes a lecture good? Learn how to become a more effective lecturer and avoid common mistakes. (32 min)

08: Teaching with PowerPoint

Focus on tips for using technology, like PowerPoint, to complement your teaching style without letting it control your classroom. (32 min)

09: Demonstrations, Old and New

Explore the pros and cons of using older technologies like blackboards and newer technologies like clickers and podcasts in your lectures. (30 min)

10: Teaching the Critical Skills

Emphasize the importance of having students read aloud to develop their analytical reading skills. (33 min)

11: Engaging with Discussion, Part 1

Discover how to encourage participation in your classroom and make the most of your seminars. (32 min)

12: Engaging with Discussion, Part 2

Learn how small groups can strengthen communication skills and the role of humor in creating a productive seminar environment. (31 min)

13: Cogent Thinking and Effective Writing

Improve student writing with suggestions for assignments and exercises that emphasize precision and clarity. (32 min)

14: Teaching Revision and Editing

Receive advice on how to encourage and strengthen student writing through editing drafts and practicing more writing. (35 min)

15: Coaching Students on Presentation Skills

Discover what makes a presentation effective and how you can help improve your students’ presentation skills. (31 min)

16: One-on-One Teaching

Witness the effectiveness of one-on-one contact between teachers and students through real interactions. (29 min)

17: The Learner’s Perspective

Learn from students about their perspectives on teaching and what they want from their educators. (30 min)

18: Exams, Evaluation, and Feedback

Explore approaches to creating, administering, and grading exams, and how to deal with cheating and plagiarism. (33 min)

19: Maintaining Your Enthusiasm

Learn how to reinvigorate your teaching and maintain enthusiasm for your subject and profession. (29 min)

20: Managing the Challenges of Teaching

Expose strategies for maintaining confidence in challenging teaching situations, especially for beginners. (31 min)

21: Creativity and Innovation

Discover techniques for keeping your teaching style interesting and innovative, leveraging your location and circumstances. (32 min)

22: Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths

Professor Allitt dispels common misconceptions about teaching and American education. (27 min)

23: The Anatomy of a Great Teacher

Explore the characteristics that make a good teacher great, including self-criticism and a commitment to improvement. (30 min)

24: Teaching and Civilization

Conclude the course by examining the historical significance of teaching and its role in advancing civilization. (30 min)