Course description:   This seminar is a series of weekly meetings for graduate students in the Department of History & Religion who will begin teaching department courses. An introductory look at issues faced in the classroom, the seminar will address a broad array of techniques and tools to enhance one's teaching.   In addition, there will be periodic classroom observations followed up by oral and written comments.

Grading Policy:   As a one-credit course, this seminar is not meant to be a substantial burden on your time, rather it is hoped it will be a forum to think about, critically examine and hone your teaching.   As such, the primary requirement is that you attend the class regularly and offer substantive contributions to the discussions and actively reflect on your teaching.  

There will be no written assignments.   However, every Sunday evening I will e-mail several questions that I would like you to think about prior to Monday's seminar.   These questions will range from the philosophical (“Do I teach better when I wear my green sweater?”) to the very specific (“How does one put documents on e-reserve?”).  

Schedule of Meetings:

August 29 (1-4 p.m.) – Introduction, the ‘Fine Print' & the ‘Toolkit'

- College of Liberal Arts Academic Integrity Resources for Faculty
- Turnitin.com at Penn State
- PSU Statement of Nondiscrimination
- History Toolkit

August 31 (1-4 p.m.) – Organizing your class: Syllabus, Lectures and Exams

- Penn State Senate Statement on Syllabi
- TLT Center's Tips for an Effective Syllabus
- College of Liberal Art's Syllabus Guidelines
- The Chronicle: The Promising Syllabus (August 8, 2006)
- Teaching Using Angel

September 6 – Using e-Lion, Angel and Penn State Technology to Your Advantage

- Suggestions to Integrate Technology in Teaching
- Getting Started in Dreamweaver
- A Guide for Penn State Web Developers
- Making Your Own Webpage
- PSU Download Page
- Utilizing ANGEL to its fullest potential (Navigating ANGEL)

September 13 – The Psychology of Teaching: Prompting, Preventing, and Praising

- Cheating and Web-Based ExamsThe Teaching Professor, February 2005)
- Tell Students They're Wrong (The Teaching Professor, April 2006 )
- Creating an Effective Quiz

September 20 – Offering Oral and Written Feedback

September 27– Grading (or Knowing It When You See it)

October 4 – Classroom Observation (set time with professor)

October 18 – The Anatomy of a Lecture

November 10 – Classroom Observation (set time with professor)