SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
Graduate School
Date: Spring 2011
Course No.: GR604
Title of Course: Brief Seminar on College Teaching
I.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION AND CREDIT HOURS OF COURSE:
A study of effective classroom teaching. 0 credit hours.
II.
PREREQUISITE(S): None
III.
PURPOSES OR OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSES:
A. To introduce Graduate Teaching Assistants to the essential elements of effective teaching in
the college classroom.
B. To examine the practical applications that recent empirical research on teaching and
learning has for college instructors.
IV.
EXPECTATION OF STUDENTS AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
A. Regular class attendance and active participation in class discussions.
B. Completion of assigned readings and other learning activities.
V.
COURSE CONTENT OR OUTLINE:
A. Elements of instructional effectiveness
1. View of students
2. Views of faculty
3. Views of research
A. Communicating expectations
1. Relating educational goals to classroom activities
2. Constructing instructionally useful course materials
A. Leading discussions
1. Planning and promoting lively discussions
2. Asking and answering questions
A. Assessing student learning
1. Constructing high quality classroom exams
2. Grading sensibly
A. Responding to individual differences
1. Working effectively with adult learning
2. Accommodating learning style differences
3. Helping high risk students experience success
A. Enhancing student learning skills
1. Increasing student motivation
2. Improving student study skills
A. Developing self-confidence in the classroom
1. Putting it all together
VI. TEXTBOOK
VII. BASIS OF STUDENT EVALUATION:
A. Participation during class activities
B. Classroom activities
VIII. GRADING POLICY:
IX.
ACADEMIC POLICY STATEMENT:
Students will be expected to abide by the University Policy for Academic Honesty regarding
plagiarism and academic honesty. Refer to:
http://www6.semo.edu/judaffairs/code.html
X.
STUDENT WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:
If a student has a special need addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and
requires materials in an alternative format, please notify the instructor at the beginning of the
course. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate special needs.