Calling all students - what kind of teachers do you like?

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 7:18 am

Soon, I'm going to start teaching a group of MSc and PhD students. I haven't done any classroom teaching for 2 years now, only individual supervising, which is quite different. The group will be around 30 students, all they will have different backgrounds. The subject I'm going to teach is very specialised, but let's just say it's about some highly abstract brain functioning. It's the kind of subjects that easily gets dull to just sit there and listen to.

Usually when I teach, I like to combine theory and practise. I tend to avoid long theoretical lectures and instead, mix it up with demonstrations and labs. When I teach advanced students like these ones, I encourage discussion.

So now I'm asking all you students for some advice here: What kind of teaching do you like? What do you think is fun and stimulating? How do you prefer to get new concepts and theories presented to you? What do you want from a teacher?

Looking forward to your replies!

Bloodstalker · Post by **Bloodstalker** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 7:34 am

Well, I definatly don't like the kind that just stand up and read to me. Bores me to death. I like to see things presented in a way that I can feel like I am actually figuring some of it out on my own.

I prefer an open classroom environment where everyone is encouraged to take part in the discussions. And I really like anything that is more or less hands on, something that I can DO and not just hear.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 8:44 am

What kind of teacher do i like?

ahhhhh - oh sorry lost in thought there.

i cant tell you - i would be tipped of the board for being sexist.

Apart from all that which i didnt write my wishes are minor. somebody that doesnt talk in monotone, uses handouts and gives bibliography with full details.

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 8:50 am

I like sexy teachers who wear tight pants/short skirts and keep dropping the dry-wipe marker pens.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 8:58 am

Originally posted by Gruntboy:
I like sexy teachers who wear tight pants/short skirts and keep dropping the dry-wipe marker pens.

well its a begining...

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 8:58 am

Originally posted by Gruntboy:
I like sexy teachers who wear tight pants/short skirts and keep dropping the dry-wipe marker pens.

*wonders if she should inform Gruntboy that she might become a teacher once she finishes college*

I like the kind of teacher that gets you involved in the subject matter. She also must be able to adapt her teaching style to fit the students in the class and their individual progress. She must also be at least somewhat organized and have some idea of what she's doing, otherwise she loses all of her credibility. She must also be able to accept it when a student corrects her and is right.

McBane · Post by **McBane** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 9:00 am

I think the interactive discussions combined with some lectures are the best. Some students thrive speaking out, others do best with a low profile. With the level of students you are teaching, you should have a very attentive class. I can't imagine students are taking this as a blow-off class.

Bloodstalker · Post by **Bloodstalker** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 9:02 am

You'd be surprised at what some students take as a blow off class.

McBane · Post by **McBane** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 9:07 am

PhD students? Do you need filler classes? Or are you just taking classes within your "major"?

I stopped after 2 bachelors, so I am not sure of the curriculum requirements for PhD.

This class topic would not be high on my list of blow-offs.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 9:07 am

@C.E it sounds to me as though you are already doing the things that make a good teacher, but for what it's worth here is my humble opinion.

I like a lecturer/seminar leader who has fire in their belly, who is passionate about their subject and is able to convey this to their students. I think it is also important, even at the advanced level, not to assume that everyone is familiar with the complex vocabulary that usually accompanies a specialized subject. For me, teaching and learning are about communication and I appreciate somebody who can relate complex theories and ideas without constantly having to resort to jargon.
A sense of humour is also important, there is nothing worse than a prof who takes themselves too seriously.

hope that helps

Rob-hin · Post by **Rob-hin** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 9:37 am

I like a teacher that's sick a lott so I can go home!

No, serioesly... A teacher should be nice but not to nice that no-one lissens anymore.
He should be able to show who's the boss when needed.
Other that that he should be someone you can call friend.

Darkpoet · Post by **Darkpoet** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 9:55 am

Originally posted by Gruntboy:
I like sexy teachers who wear tight pants/short skirts and keep dropping the dry-wipe marker pens.

Grunty, don't forget the private tutering also. All that studying after class, with her there to make sure it's done correctly.

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 11:32 am

Whenever I've taught, I've had the most success with well-planned lectures that tell a good story and connect everything together in the end. Sort of like Burke's "Connections" or "The Day the Universe Changed" (is that right?) series. Of course Anthropology has a lot of good stories, and can be very interesting. If told right, even Band-Tribe-State transition theories can be fun.

In upper level class work, the small discussion format seems to work well. But the instructor has to be a good moderator, keeping the more vocal students in line, encouraging the timid ones, all while maintaining focus and direction.

When in doubt, though, the short skirt and lots of cleavage will keep their attention. Always worked for me....

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 11:58 am

When in doubt, though, the short skirt and lots of cleavage will keep their attention. Always worked for me....

Prone to wearing a short skirt and revealing top were you?

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 12:02 pm

Originally posted by dragon wench:
Prone to wearing a short skirt and revealing top were you?

More gender issues?!?

ThorinOakensfield · Post by **ThorinOakensfield** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 12:13 pm

i love class discussions because i love to argue, but i'm in high school so i don't know what PHd classes really do.
I like teachers who don't read from a book or a guide. i like the type who have their points of view and can support them, so that we can all argue!

Darkpoet · Post by **Darkpoet** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 12:23 pm

Originally posted by Gwalchmai:


When in doubt, though, the short skirt and lots of cleavage will keep their attention. Always worked for me....

After that comment, I might never make it to Arizona.

ThorinOakensfield · Post by **ThorinOakensfield** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 12:25 pm

Originally posted by Gruntboy:
I like sexy teachers who wear tight pants/short skirts and keep dropping the dry-wipe marker pens.

Doesn't everybody?

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 12:41 pm

Originally posted by Gruntboy:
I like sexy teachers who wear tight pants/short skirts and keep dropping the dry-wipe marker pens.

Tight pants: check

Dropping pens: hm, not as often as I should, obviously

orignally posted by McBane:
PhD students? Do you need filler classes? Or are you just taking classes within your "major"?

I stopped after 2 bachelors, so I am not sure of the curriculum requirements for PhD.

???

I'm sure I understand you right here.

All universities have plenty of post graduate courses for people who are doing their MSc or PhD. Post graduate courses are often highly specific or they are about general scientific theory and method.

For a PhD you first need an MSc. Then you can apply to a PhD program, that usually lasts about 5 years full time. A Swedish PhD used to require about double the amount of work than a US PhD, but the standards have been changed recently in order to agree better with international standards.

During those 5 years you have to study general scientific theory and method as well as taking some area specific courses. Then you have to produce your own research. How much time that is devoted to courses versus production are depending are depending on your subject. If you are in experimental science you learn more by performing experiments, whereas if you are in a theoretical subject, you will take more courses.

What is a "filler class"?

@all: thanks for the advice. My next question wil be about examination forms. I am not going to use a standard written exam, at postgraduate level I think mechanical repetion of facts is ridiculous. I'm trying to think of a method that demands creative and independent thinking from the students, and that also offers a challenge to them. Some kind of oral group examination where they get relevant problems to solve, perhaps...

[ 10-02-2001: Message edited by: C Elegans ]

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Tue Oct 02, 2001 12:46 pm

Originally posted by C Elegans:
@all: thanks for the advice. My next question wil be about examination forms. I am not going to use a standard written exam, at postgraduate level I think mechanical repetion of facts is ridiculous. I'm trying to think of a method that demands creative and independent thinking from the students, and that also offers a challenge to them. Some kind of oral group examination where they get relevant problems to solve, perhaps...

A very good idea, i always found the examination system somewhat pointless, as it appears to be more about retention of knowledge than actual abilities.