A discussion of collaborative peer teaching as a method of college instruction looks at theoretical support for the approach and describes experiences with three courses using it: freshman composition; American studies; and international diversity. Perceived benefits of the experiences for both teachers and students are examined. (MSE)

In a college accounting course, two faculty members experimented with a new approach to office hours, with all communication between students and teachers other than classroom dialog. Through electronic mail and other methods of data transmission. This included distribution of course syllabus, reading lists, study materials, and exams, and…

Describes a system of undergraduate and graduate instructional evaluation that integrates student and peer evaluation techniques. The procedure has three steps: preliminary meeting between faculty member and peer facilitator; in-class assessment session in which the facilitator engages students in focused discussion of teaching, in the teacher's…

Argues that one of the richest vehicles for enhancing students' classroom learning is the diversity of the student body itself. Integrating diversity into the classroom process also increases motivation and facilitates development of social, cognitive, and communication skills necessary for today's multicultural workforce. Classroom experiences,…

A study investigated how 13 Chinese graduate students approach writing tasks, examining cultural assumptions and values underlying choices made in the process. Students were interviewed in Chinese by an interviewer of similar cultural background and asked to explain their understanding of writing and their frustration in learning to write English…

Describes an undergraduate business course in organizational behavior in which students participated in experiential learning exercises linked to classroom conceptual learning, then reflected on the experiences in a written synthesizing statement. Examples of students' insights are provided. Advantages and disadvantages of the approach and…

Describes an undergraduate introductory theology course featuring exercises based on techniques used in clinical pastoral education, including a case study of a depressed man addressing issues of faith. The process integrates experience-based, dialogic, personal, and holistic learning. Pedagogic and practical issues associated with this approach…

Describes a team-taught, interdisciplinary college honors course on politics and literature, including the origins and theoretical underpinning of the course, issues related to the intersection of the disciplines, evolution of the teacher's role in the course, and outcomes. Concludes that despite the difficulties of interdisciplinary team…

Discusses an approach to college instruction in which a faculty member designs a course, then teaches it with a student, evaluating the method in the context of other collaborative approaches that usually involve two-person faculty teams: peer coaching through classroom observation and team teaching. Experiences with this approach and the problems…

Discusses a professional-development course for educators, team-taught by three faculty members, that combined the content of courses in multicultural education, special education, and human development. Each teacher describes his or her experiences and the issues addressed; student comments are examined; and the requirements for and benefits of…

If dynamics of gender and race in the science classroom are understood and used effectively, group work may enhance learning for all students, especially women and students of color; if ignored or misunderstood, group work may detract from or inhibit learning. Group size/selection, roles/leadership, assignments/grading, student resistance, and…

Describes active learning activities that can be useful in college faculty development workshops, including three activity types: introductory exercises (personal introductions, goal-setting, warm-ups); problem-solving activities (brainstorming, hands-on exercises, reflection); and closure (consolidating concepts, cognitive mapping,…

Factors in development of a new introductory economics course, primarily for nonmajors, are discussed. These include selection of course content to capture student interest and reflect societal change, creation of a more stimulating classroom environment, and use of three cooperative learning activities on poverty, inflation, and budget deficits.…

A survey of one college's faculty (n=101) concerning classroom use of technology reveals limited exploitation of its potential, and suggests a different approach to faculty development in technology that provides a more substantial infrastructure, rewards, and a variety of techniques to keep both faculty and students interested. (MSE)

Reluctance of college faculty to teach critical thinking may be due to many factors. Proactive strategies for reducing resistance include creating a positive context for change, communicating expertness and credibility, creating a sense of safety and trust, countering sources of student resistance, and creating high hopes and expectations for…