Three recently published books intended to help both new and experienced college teachers with their teaching methods and skills are given brief but favorable reviews. "The Art and Craft of Teaching" (edited by Margaret Morganroth Gullette) includes chapters and essays on teaching methods, the first day of class, lecturing, questioning…

Empirical studies of the connection between humor and learning indicate that humor can increase student attention and interest. Presentation of humorous material involves skills that can be learned through practice, and faculty development programs for teachers to acquire these skills should be made available. (MSE)

It is argued in this book that postsecondary instructors have to improve their performance in the classroom not only by achieving a better understanding of how teachers teach, but also of how learners learn. Most postsecondary teachers are well trained in their disciplines, but few have received formal training in how to teach or have acquired an…

One common sense approach to college teaching might simply be to implement those practices that are proven reliable and frequently review the methods that seem to result in learning and those that do not. Guidelines based on some instructional approaches that have worked at Mohawk College in Ontario, Canada include the following: (1) assume that…

For those involved with faculty development and improving teaching quality, new literature is available which describes and evaluates programs, gives suggestions, and reports current research. (JD)

A program successful in developing the teaching skills of both experienced and new faculty members at The Autonomous University of the North East (Universidad Autonoma del Noreste) at Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, is described. The program has incorporated several literature-based features of effective programs: presentation of supportive theory of…

Syllabi, lesson plans, and activities are offered from courses designed to improve the preparation of doctoral candidates bound for college teaching careers. The three graduate-level courses include: (1) Course Design Decisions, which covers evaluating teaching and learning styles, designing syllabi and examinations, selecting textbooks,…

Briefly describes two guidebooks, published by the National Center for Research to Improve Postsecondary Teaching and Learning, designed to assist both teaching assistants (TAs) and professors to improve instruction. Stresses the importance of course planning and writing effective syllabi. Argues TAs need to learn skills from their current…

Argues that community college development activities which focus exclusively on improving instruction weaken and fragment curricular disciplines and contribute to the disintegration of corporate faculty. Emphasizes the need for models which address the culture of college faculty and provide surrogates for the strong disciplinary culture of…

Presents examples of successful faculty development and revitalization programs in use at community colleges nationwide. Reviews characteristics of exemplary faculty development efforts, and describes specific projects and programs in the areas of instructional improvement, subject-area knowledge, and faculty renewal. (PAA)

This paper discusses seven ways in which college faculty can become actively engaged in scholarship about teaching. The seven principle components of teaching are as follows: (1) subject matter expertise; (2) organized presentation of subject matter; (3) concern for curricular relevance and coherence; (4) informing the curricular change process;…

Describes challenges facing community college faculty as a result of increasing diversity, presence of part-time faculty and students, enrollment interruptions, and large classes. Argues that, to meet challenges, faculty must build community through programs emphasizing assessment, diversity, learning, and skills. Describes a discipline-based,…

The National Education Association (NEA) believes that faculty development programs, if designed by the faculty, implemented on a voluntary and equitable basis, and adequately funded, can contribute to improving teaching and learning on college and university campuses. The ideal of continuing self-improvement by college and university faculty is a…

This volume includes text, cases, and readings for a college faculty seminar to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for utilization of the case method approach to instruction. It builds on a long-term clinical research effort on the dynamics of the case method of teaching and application at Harvard Business School. In addition…

In 1985-86, a study was conducted to assess the instruction-related development needs of the faculty of South Carolina's two-year technical colleges. The study involved a survey of a sample of master teachers (N=120) in nine major discipline clusters at each of the system's 16 colleges to determine their perceptions of the instruction-related…