The article explores how using constructivist techniques can make teachers more effective. When teachers use illustrative methods to introduce new material, students are better able to make the concepts their own. Several activities and their possible application across disciplines are discussed.

Returning tests following an examination is often a difficult task for the instructor, particularly in courses that are perceived by students as anxiety producing. The purpose of this article is to offer suggestions for designing this class session so that students view it as a positive part of the learning process. The four phases suggested for…

Experiential learning programs, courses, and tasks create new opportunities for faculty and students to interact. Faculty roles may include one-on-one consulting, visits to off-campus sites to observe student work, and small group discussions. In addition to discipline content, discussions with students deal with their reactions to the experience,…

The attitudes of male and female university professors at AACSB (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) International accredited business schools differ substantially regarding certain aspects of traditional tenure. This survey of 1,306 professors at 307 AACSB International accredited schools in 48 states and Canada examines a…

A collaborative research project, which was offered as an alternative to traditional undergraduate independent study courses, is discussed. The authors describe the characteristics of traditional independent study courses and how collaborative research efforts differ from them. Such projects provide an in-depth exposure to the topic under study,…

A comprehensive model of the dynamics of one-on-one teaching is described. Adoption of specific teaching styles is influenced by the learning styles of students; the interest in faculty to build interpersonal relationships with learners; teacher need to control the task; the capability of students; and situational constraints. In clinical…

Examined students' perceptions of student evaluations of teaching (SET) and compared them to faculty perceptions. Found that students were much less likely to agree that SET encourage more lenient grading, have an influence on a faculty member's career, lead to changes in courses or teaching styles. Faculty believed that students rate easy,…

Asserts that writing assignments should be collaborations between students and instructors. Explores stages of the writing assignment and offers suggestions for making each step purposeful and successful. Includes an appendix offering a scale for trait analysis of compositions. (EV)

Proposes that syllabi serve three major roles: the syllabus as a contract, the syllabus as a permanent record, and the syllabus as a learning tool--each of which has implications for what a syllabus should contain. Offers general observations about constructing syllabi. (EV)

Investigated the interactive effects of professors' instruction strategies and students' conceptual levels on the motivation to learn of 83 postsecondary students randomly assigned to either direct or nondirect instruction groups. Found that highly structured teaching methods motivated students with low conceptual levels, while low-structure…

Reviews research on student satisfaction levels in interactive televised courses (ITV). Finds that when other variables are held constant, students rate the effectiveness of the professor's teaching lower when ITV is involved. Offers recommendations regarding effective use of ITV. (EV)

Describes Primary Trait Analysis (PTA) as a technique for instructors interested in classroom-based assessment. Provides a history of PTA at Raymond Walters College (RWC) and explains how RWC faculty developed PTA scales to communicate learning objectives and evaluative criteria to students. Provides several specific scales as examples. (EV)

Explored how university students experience their body while learning. Found these themes: the physical setting creates discomfort; the body senses the classroom's emotional climate; activity occupies or distracts the body; there is a lost sense of body when immersed in a good learning experience; bodily relaxation and freedom occur when one is…

Describes an experience using students as assistants in a simulation-based instructional unit of a large introductory American government class. The assistants had participated in the simulation as students and came back to serve as part of an independent study project. The assistants facilitated the use of simulation in a large class where it…

Introduces items in the typical electronic delivery toolkit (computer software packages that facilitate electronic course delivery). Offers suggestions on how best to take advantage of the tools to enhance the "outside the classroom" environment, or those learning materials and experiences accessible to students via the computer and Internet. (EV)