Quick Tips for Teaching

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Quick Tips for Teaching
#1: For the Beginning of the Semester
Make the first day count. Discuss a core idea, pose a typical problem, or ask students to complete a group exercise. By moving into the course material, you're telling students that the course is well organized, well paced and worthwhile.

#2: For Using E-mail
Use e-mail to enhance class participation. Provide a tutor in the first week to help students learn how to use the computers. To get the discussion started, ask students to generate comments or questions for discussion.
#3: End of Class Review
Take five minutes at the end of each class to ask students to summarize the ideas presented, to solve a sample problem, to apply information to a new situation or to write their reactions to the day's class.
#4: Participation
Take a moment after every class and give yourself a grade for participation. Ask yourself these questions: How open are you to your students? How do you encourage them to get involved? Do you let students know you appreciate their participation? Sometimes we can be defeated by our reaction to students' participation. Remember: student participation depends on teacher participation.
#5: Make Your Point
Whether you're using overhead transparencies or computer presentation software, here are some tips to help you "get your point across." Give an attractive, forceful title to your presentation. Summarize your points. Avoid the use of complete sentences. Use boldface or italic type instead of underlining. Use color sparingly.

#6: What to Expect
Check expectations of students early in the course to avoid problems later. What do they hope to gain from the course? Use a questionnaire, a short discussion, or both. Follow up by clarifying matters of prerequisites, objectives, assignments and presentation style.
#7: Test Time
Prepare students to take tests. Indicate how your tests will be scored and weighed; describe the format (multiple choice, true/false, short answer essay, etc.). Give a test in the first week or two to demonstrate your style of examination or give sample questions and practice quizzes for students to work on in recitation in study groups, or on their own.
#8: Questions
In discussion ask a variety of questions from recall and comprehension to those requiring application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Reinforce student responses by paraphrasing, building on their ideas, asking for further reaction, giving nonverbal cues, etc. Wait for students to answer. Ask "real" questions, use "does anyone have any questions?" sparingly.
#9: Keep their Attention
Vary your daily presentation. One way communication holds your audience's attention for about 20 minutes. Vary what you do (talk, listen, move about, use materials, etc.) and what your students are asked to do (talk, listen, move about, use materials, etc.).
#10: Study Groupselp your students to form study groups. Describe the purpose of the study groups, the nature of the work to be done there, and the responsibilities of each member. At first, give specific assignments to provide structure and guidance
#11: Motivate Your Students
There are several easy ways to keep your students motivated throughout the semester. Be available for questions before and after class, show enthusiasm in the topics, return assignments in a reasonable amount of time and have a plan for every class. Your students will be more motivated if you show commitment to their learning.

https://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/current/teaching/tips