Strategies for Teaching Speech Communication: COMM 510
Fall 2014
M: 1:50-2:45 pm RM: FAC 135
Blair Thompson, Ph.D.
Email: blair.thompson@wku.edu
Office Hours M-W: 4:20:5:20 W: 2:00-3:00 Phone: 745-5889
Office: Fine Arts 159
My Core beliefs about teaching and learning:
Welcome to Strategies for Teaching Speech Communication: COMM 510 a course you will
hopefully enjoy and which will help prepare you for your initial teaching experience and
beyond. In this course, you will also be introduced to some basics of teaching as well as some
ideas which may challenge your views of being a teacher and the classroom in general. My hope is
that you will reflect on what it means for you to be a good teacher. Most graduate students who
have the wonderful opportunity to teach partake in some form of training such as this course
whether it be a full-blown course or an extended orientation (typically one to two weeks during
the summer). We in the department feel it is important that you as GTA’s have formal training to
teach as it will assist your students as well you, both now and in the future.
Office Hours
I will be available before and after class, and by appointment. I invite you to attend office hours
for assistance with your teaching and this course. You are also welcome to communicate with me
via e-mail.
Required Readings:
Posted on Blackboard.
Course objectives:
1. To read about, discuss, and reflect on what it means to be a good teacher.
2. To familiarize yourself with basic principles of teaching.
3. To prepare yourself for and deal with the challenges of teaching.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is required. Excessive absences will affect your participation grade in this class. You
are always responsible for all material distributed in your absence. In the event of extra-ordinary
circumstances necessitating your absence, please speak to the instructor IN ADVANCE and be
prepared to provide documentation of your excuse.
All presentations, assignments, and exams must be completed on the date assigned. If you
are unprepared or do not come to class on an exam day, you will receive a ZERO for that
assignment unless an alternate due date has been previously approved or documentation has been
provided for extreme circumstances. If a problem arises contact the instructor prior to class.
Participation:
Class members are expected to contribute to the class by asking questions, participating in
discussions and taking part in class activities. Please take an active, interested, and respectful role
in the class in order to assist your own learning in addition to your classmates.
Assignments:
Schedule subject to change based on Instructor’s discretion.
Teaching Philosophy
This assignment calls for writing at teaching philosophy (1-2 pages). You will share your
philosophy with the class. (75 points) (see examples on Blackboard)
Reflection Paper: When Teaching Works
Tell about one of your most meaningful learning experiences as a teacher this semester (one of
your best/worst days of teaching, most meaning learning interactions(s) with a student, epiphany
moment etc). Vividly describe a particular incident, class, encounter, etc. so that we feel as if we
were present. Write this as a story, with all the key elements: setting, dialogue, plot, etc. Reflect
on what you learned through this experience and what it tells us about what it means to be an
effective teacher. Do not include any citations. I recommend reading an example of two from the
October 1993 special issue of Communication Education to guide you. The expected length of
this assignment is 3-4 pages (ok if it is more…). Have fun with this. You will present your paper
during the final week of class. (75 points)
Activities/participation
There will be a series of in class activities that will be completed individually or in small groups as
well as class discussion for you to contribute to in meaningful ways. (50 points)
Grading Policy:
Teaching Philosophy
Reflection Paper
Participation/activities
75 pts.
75 pts.
50 pts.
Total: 200 pts.
GRADING SCALE:
A
200-180
B
179-160
C
159-140
D
139-120
F
Below 119
Class Schedule
GTA Orientation Meeting: 1-2pm in 135 on Friday , August 22nd
Readings due: Teaching Tips Ch 3: Meeting a class for the first time pages 21-28 (posted on
Blackboard)
Constructing and presenting the syllabus (posted on Blackboard)
Week1: August 25
Introduction to course
Teaching speech organization
Week 2: Sept 8
What it means to be a good teacher
Teaching writing/researching for a paper
Readings due: Inspiring Teaching (posted on Blackboard)
Teaching Tips (Ch 13: 170-180)
Week 3: Sept 15
When teaching work
Evaluating Speeches
Readings due: Why teaching works (posted on Blackboard)
Week 4: Sept 22
Writing a teaching philosophy
Tests/assessment
Readings due: Teaching Tips (page 6) (posted on Blackboard)
Week 6: Sept 29
Motivation in the classroom
Teaching Interpersonal Communication
Readings due: Teaching Tips (Ch 9 118- 127) (posted on Blackboard)
Week 8: Oct 6
Problem students
Teaching Philosophy due
Readings due: Teaching Tips (148-159) (posted on Blackboard)
Week 8: Oct 13
Teaching Persuasion
Week 9: Oct 20
Rethinking Teaching
Readings due: Courage to Teach (Chapter 2: A culture of fear 35-60) (posted on
Blackboard)
Week 10: OCT 27
Subject Centered Learning
Readings due: Courage to Teach (99-106; 115- 140) (posted on Blackboard)
Week 11: Nov 3
Reflective learning: How do I know students are learning? How do I know I am growing as a
teacher?
Readings due: Teaching Tips (Ch 23: 270-283) (posted on Blackboard)
Week 12: Nov 10 No Class
Week 13: Nov 17 No Class
Week 14: Nov 24 No Class: Thanksgiving
Week 15: Dec 1
Semester Wrap Up/Reflecting on the teaching experience
Reflection Paper due
.