Tools for Teaching

Rating:
Summary: Good, but outdated
Review: I find myself ambivalent about this book. I have been teaching University students since 1982 and was hoping for new tricks and techniques that might help me to continue improving. This book is a compilation of such tricks and techniques that might prove useful to a new Assistant Professor. However, the book was originally written in 1993 and has few references more recent than 1992. I'm not sure how many faculty need to know how to use the three-layer blackboards that used to be standard fixtures at the front of giant lecture halls. The description of multimedia uses Hypercard as the example of what's state-of-the-art. The few references to Internet resources have BITNET addresses. Much has changed in the classroom since 1992, but the new teacher won't learn about it from this source. Although this book would be helpful for teachers in the undergraduate classroom, I feel that they will also find it frustrating.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but outdated
Review: I find myself ambivalent about this book. I have been teaching University students since 1982 and was hoping for new tricks and techniques that might help me to continue improving. This book is a compilation of such tricks and techniques that might prove useful to a new Assistant Professor. However, the book was originally written in 1993 and has few references more recent than 1992. I'm not sure how many faculty need to know how to use the three-layer blackboards that used to be standard fixtures at the front of giant lecture halls. The description of multimedia uses Hypercard as the example of what's state-of-the-art. The few references to Internet resources have BITNET addresses. Much has changed in the classroom since 1992, but the new teacher won't learn about it from this source. Although this book would be helpful for teachers in the undergraduate classroom, I feel that they will also find it frustrating.

Rating:
Summary: Teachers everywhere can benefit from this book
Review: I've been teaching for almost ten years now, and frankly didn't think this book would do much for me. WAS I WRONG! There are so many useful things in this book -- even experienced teachers can learn something. You can find tips that will help the novice -- how to structure a lecture course vs. a discussion course; to tips that will help you implement new things -- group work, role-playing, etc. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

Rating:
Summary: A truly answered prayer!
Review: In my first teaching jobs, I had the unfortunate experience of being supervised by people who were barely (if at all) qualified to do such an important job. I had to learn how to teach the hard way. Thank God that over the years of perseverance and gained experience my supervisors and my clients (my students) seem to be happy with the educational services that I offer. However, I wish, that I had found out about this book earlier on my teaching career. That way, I could have avoided a lot of headaches. Dr. Gross Davis has done an excellent job on compiling and on organizing different suggestions on how to become an effective teacher. I found it very organized, easy to understand, and most of all very practical. I do not regret having bought this book. As a matter of fact, I treasure it a lot. God bless you, Dr. Gross Davis! I look forward to an update. This book can be a very helpful tool to new and to experienced teachers. It should be on every educator's personal library.

Rating:
Summary: Timeless Teaching Tools
Review: Regardless of the year in which this book was released, rest assured in knowing that it does provide VERY useful and timeless teaching techniques. I appreciate Dr. Gross Davis' efforts a great deal. May God bless you greatly, Dr. Gross Davis!!! This book IS a great starting point towards the quest for professional growth and development.

Rating:
Summary: OK for teaching children - Not for teaching adults
Review: This book is written with the assumption that you will be teaching young people in college or below(pedagogy). It is great for that. If you want to get it to learn techniques for teaching adults in the workplace(andragogy), look for another book.

Rating:
Summary: OK for teaching children - Not for teaching adults
Review: This book is written with the assumption that you will be teaching young people in college or below(pedagogy). It is great for that. If you want to get it to learn techniques for teaching adults in the workplace(andragogy), look for another book.