THE SKILLFUL TEACHER: CORE PRACTICES OF SKILLFUL TEACHING
STEPHEN BROOKFIELD
WEDNESDAY MARCH 7, 2012
This follow-up packet has been provided for you as a participant in the Wiley Learning Institute session
by Stephen Brookfield titled, “The Skillful Teacher: Core Practices of Skillful Teaching.”
INTERACTIVITY SUMMARY - POLLS AND CHATS (EDITED TO SHARE ONLY USEFUL MATERIALS)
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION: WE’RE GLAD YOU ’VE JOINED US TODAY. PLEASE SHARE WITH US WHERE
YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO. T HEN SEE QUESTIONS BELOW …
Note: Questions were responded to verbally, answers can be found in the event recording.
Host-Kevin Kelly: Welcome, everyone! Please introduce yourself by telling us who you are, where you
are, and what you do.
Tara [Scranton, PA]: Hi, I'm Tara from the University of Scranton in PA
SHELLEY WITHERS [Bridgewater, NS]: Hi, I'm Shelley I teach teachical communications at the Nova
Scotia Community College Bridgewater Campus
SHELLEY WITHERS [Bridgewater, NS]: Oops a typo..should be Technical
Maggie SOKOLIK [Berkeley, CA]: Maggie Sokolik, I teach composition, digital rhetoric , and applied
ethics at UC Berkeley
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: Hey, Shelley!
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: I'm Carolyn & I'm an instructional designer at the Nova Scotia
Community College in Halifax
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: That's in Canada
KATIE ROGERS [Salt Lake City, UT]: Hello! My name is Katie Rogers, and I work for Western
Governor's University as a faculty mentor for MBA Leadership assessments.
SHELLEY WITHERS [Bridgewater, NS]: Hey Caroline now I know where you are lol
Maggie SOKOLIK [Berkeley, CA]: I do too (I love Nova Scotia!)
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: Ha! Back at ya, Shelley
Be Inspired. Be Inspiring.
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Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: Maggie, you've been up our way?
Maggie SOKOLIK [Berkeley, CA]: Carolyn, Yes--spent a month there 2 years ago on holiday
SHELLEY WITHERS [Bridgewater, NS]: I love California...been there 3 times
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: Maggie, it is a beautiful part of the workd, isn't it ... I've never been to
California :(
RAJINDER VIRK [Burlington, ON]: Hi everyone, my name is Rajinder from Burlington Ontario
Maggie SOKOLIK [Berkeley, CA]: Yes--it was amazing. We had so much fun. Come to California! Lovely
here too.
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: Would love to ... it's so cold here today
Maggie SOKOLIK [Berkeley, CA]: We've had a frighteningly warm winter (70s F today)
RAJINDER VIRK [Burlington, ON]: ...sorry, I 'm a program coordinator, professor at Mohawk College in
Hamilton
CAROL SALTSGAVER [Springfield, IL]: Hi, my name is Carol Saltsgaver and I teach at the University of
Ilinois at Springfield.
LAURA MEADE [Fort Worth, TX]: Laura, Supply Chain Management Professor at Texas Christian
University
ACTIVITY 1: RECOGNIZE SKILLFUL TEACHING
Activity 1: Recognize skillful teaching
Which of the following most clearly describes how you would recognize skillful teaching?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
Teacher explanations are clear – 0%
Teacher’s examples are appropriate – 0%
Students talk more than teachers – 36.36%
Teachers use a variety of teaching approaches – 63.64%
Students ask relevant questions – 0%
No vote – 0%
Be Inspired. Be Inspiring.
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ACTIVITY 2: SURPRISING BUT HELPFUL: GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF A TEACHING ACT THAT SEEMED STRANGE OR
SURPRISING BUT THAT HELPED LEARNING .
Maggie SOKOLIK [Berkeley, CA]: I assigned a novel that I didn't read (purposely), and asked students
to teach it to me and explain it to me. It was really hard not to read the book, but they did a great job
telling me about it.
AMY JACKSON [Orlando, FL]: Faculty being confrontational to encourage learning.
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: It always surprises me when a lecture works -- not sure why ... maybe
has something to do with my own assumptions about lecturing or my own experiences being at the
mercy of lectures (not happy times for me!)
SHELLEY WITHERS [Bridgewater, NS]: Minute papers always surprise me. They are often listening and
understanding more than you think. What they didn't understand sometimes surprises me, but I have an
immediate opportunity to clarify
KATIE ROGERS [Salt Lake City, UT]: We had a similar approach to Maggie where we had students
break up a chapter and teach the class rather than my teaching the class. We then discussed the
sections. It was a meaningful learning experience for the students and allowed them to see the
material from a different point of view.
RAJINDER VIRK [Burlington, ON]: Hi, once when teaching a new course on the fly, I assigned the
students to groups to create 3 good questions on a topic that had been recently covered and this
provided the whole class with a rich selection of questions for final exam review.
Be Inspired. Be Inspiring.
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ACTIVITY 3: ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT G OOD TEACHING
Activity 3: Assumptions about good teaching
Which of the following assumptions about good teaching do you hold?
A) The higher the % of student talk, and the lower the % of teacher talk, the better – 30.77%
B) Good lectures end with a summary of what’s been learned – 61.54%
C) Good teachers teach in a color-blind way; they don’t make assumptions about students from
particular racial backgrounds – 0%
D) Teachers who are tough graders score lower on student evaluations – 7.69%
E) No vote – 0%
ACTIVITY 4: ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT TEACHING: WHAT’S AN ASSUMPTION YOU ’VE HELD ABOUT TEACHING
THAT HAS BEEN CHALLENGED BY STUDENTS ’ REACTIONS ?
Tara [Scranton, PA]: Students don't like lecture
AMY JACKSON [Orlando, FL]: Interactive methods drive better learning
NAOKO TAKAO [Coral Gables, FL]: Giving choices to students are welcomed.
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: assumption that it's important to do group work -- some students just
aren't at their best in groups
Be Inspired. Be Inspiring.
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Maggie SOKOLIK [Berkeley, CA]: That if I ask students what they want to learn, then teach that, they'll
be happy. (The problem was that they don't always know how to articulate what they want to learn, and
how I interpreted it didn't hit the mark)
RUTH ANN STRICKLAND [London, ON]: I thought students would like PowerPoint presentations, but
they often have said that they don't like them.
LAURA MEADE [Fort Worth, TX]: Interactive clickers
SHELLEY WITHERS [Bridgewater, NS]: Students don't like group work...A reflection of myself. I hate
group work
KATIE ROGERS [Salt Lake City, UT]: Assume students gain more by participating, but the truth is that
many students thrive on listening and absorbing the material and discussion. They don't need to
participate to gain from the lecture.
Kevin Kelly: Students knowing how to use technology does not always mean they know how to use
technology for learning, or the technologies the campus supports
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: yeah, I'm rethinking the whole group work thing :)
RAJINDER VIRK [Burlington, ON]: homework assignments will improve learning
CAROL SALTSGAVER [Springfield, IL]: Overuse of the clickers
RAJINDER VIRK [Burlington, ON]: use clickers with concept questions
CRITICAL INCIDENT QUESTIONNAIRE (CIQ) GENERAL CHAT
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: love this
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: it's had a huge impact on my teaching
Host-Kevin Kelly: Carolyn, do you mean the CIQ?
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: yep
Host-Kevin Kelly: Great! Glad to hear that you've used it.
Host-Kevin Kelly: When we have an activity about adapting the CIQ for your teaching, perhaps you can
share how you use it.
CIQ – Free Download www.stephenbrookfield.com
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: Stephen, a BIG thank you for providing these resources! Very
generous
Be Inspired. Be Inspiring.
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AMY JACKSON [Orlando, FL]: thanks so much
ACTIVITY 5: QUESTIONS ABOUT CIQ: WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE ABOUT HOW TO ADAPT THE CIQ TO
YOUR OWN TEACHING ?
Kevin Kelly: Can the CIQ be used for online courses?
Maggie SOKOLIK [Berkeley, CA]: I teach only small seminars--would it still work? Presumptions of
anonymity may be problematic? (or not)
Tara [Scranton, PA]: What is the largest group you have used this successfully with?
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: Not a question but a comment: we've used it in our online courses -and it's one of my favorite teaching practices. The responses tell me so much ... for example, the
importance "being responsive" comes up a lot. One thing ... we've changed a bit of the wording because
of the feedback. For example, "CIQ" has become "Learning Moments Survey". Folks seemed to be less
intimidated.
Maggie SOKOLIK [Berkeley, CA]: Aha--that's the solution :-)
KATIE ROGERS [Salt Lake City, UT]: How do you distribute it and collect responses in an online
environment? Do you administer it through email or through an LMS?
SHELLEY WITHERS [Bridgewater, NS]: Open honest questions are important so students don't feel
they have to answer a certain way. How do you check this yourself when you write the questions?
KATIE ROGERS [Salt Lake City, UT]: Thank you!
ACTIVITY 6: WHAT STUDENTS MIGHT SAY: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR STUDENTS TO SAY ABOUT YOU OR
YOUR CLASS WHEN THEY WERE OUT OF YOUR EARSHOT ?
AMY JACKSON [Orlando, FL]: I learned a lot
CAROL SALTSGAVER [Springfield, IL]: I worked really hard in that class, but I really enjoyed it.
RAJINDER VIRK [Burlington, ON]: this was a challenging class but I learned so much
LAURA MEADE [Fort Worth, TX]: Worked hard and I see how concepts learned will be helpful
KATIE ROGERS [Salt Lake City, UT]: Found the class to be personally and professionally applicable.
Maggie SOKOLIK [Berkeley, CA]: The class was challenging, but I learned a lot and the instructor was
accessible and helpful
Be Inspired. Be Inspiring.
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Tara [Scranton, PA]: She is a good, fair teacher and I learned a lot.
AMY JACKSON [Orlando, FL]: I thought I knew everything, but I guess I didn't
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: very hard ... not sure I want students to talk about me, would rather
they talked about what they'd learned
SHELLEY WITHERS [Bridgewater, NS]: The way we learned in the class was useful and helped me
remember the main points. It was fun
Kevin Kelly: I'd like students to say that they are able to use strategies from the class to improve their
learning in other classes (or life-long learning if they are about to graduate)
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: that's a cop out, isn't it :)
RAJINDER VIRK [Burlington, ON]: didn't think I could do it but with the support and encouragement I
got through
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: I didn't really answer the question
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: it's an uncomfortable question ... again, not sure why
STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS G ENERAL CHAT: “SEEMS LIKE WE ARE BEING TAUGHT BY SOME KIND OF
PSYCHOLOGICALLY NEEDY INCOMPETENT PERSON HERE ”
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: :)
Maggie SOKOLIK [Berkeley, CA]: :-) indeed!
ACTIVITY 7: QUESTIONS FOR STEPHEN BROOKFIELD: TAKE A MINUTE OR TWO TO POSE SOME QUESTIONS TO
ME THAT HAVE OCCURRED TO YOU DURING THIS SEMINAR.
NICOLE FRANK [Nampa, ID]: How do you balance being a relatively new instructor and credibility?
RAJINDER VIRK [Burlington, ON]: Could you elaborate on your teaching philosophy and who inspired
you?
AMY JACKSON [Orlando, FL]: What indicates to you that your students have learned?
Maggie SOKOLIK [Berkeley, CA]: "Through the Lens of Learning" changed my outlook in so many ways,
and led me to re-take up the violin, which frustrates me every day in ways I imagine my students
frustrated. Just wanted to say thanks.
ACTIVITY 8: WHAT MIGHT YOU CHANGE ? WHAT MIGHT YOU CHANGE AS A RESULT OF THIS SESSION?
Be Inspired. Be Inspiring.
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SHELLEY WITHERS [Bridgewater, NS]: I want to rethink my day 1 strategies again
SHELLEY WITHERS [Bridgewater, NS]: Your discussion was helpful. I teach communications to trades
programs
ACTIVITY 9: WHAT WILL YOU TAKE AWAY? WHAT, IF ANYTHING, DO YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THIS SESSION
REGARDING SOMETHING YOU MIGHT ADD TO YOUR REPERTORY OF TEACHING PRACTICES?
RAJINDER VIRK [Burlington, ON]: I plan to use the CIQ - thank you :)
Maggie SOKOLIK [Berkeley, CA]: I think I finally understand how to use the CIQ with small groups.
Looking forward to it.
CAROL SALTSGAVER [Springfield, IL]: The books, should we have received them by now?
Tara [Scranton, PA]: I am part of a "novel pedagogy" group at my institution and I have a lot to talk
about the group with now. Thank you. I also think I will try the CIQ.
RAJINDER VIRK [Burlington, ON]: I'm looking forward to the remaining sessions in this 3 part series.
Thank you for all the resources!
Tara [Scranton, PA]: Very generous offer - thank you! I might take you up on it
CLOSING REMARKS GENERAL CHAT
Host-Kevin Kelly: http://stephenbrookfield.com
Host-Kevin Kelly: The evaluation for this workshop will be at
http://wli.wiley.com/pg/event_calendar/view/609
SHELLEY WITHERS [Bridgewater, NS]: So sorry I have to run back to class. It was wonderful
Maggie SOKOLIK [Berkeley, CA]: Thanks!
Carolyn Campbell [Halifax, NS]: thank you !
NAOKO TAKAO [Coral Gables, FL]: Thank you!!
Tara [Scranton, PA]: Awesome
Be Inspired. Be Inspiring.