Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success, The: Surviving and Thriving in the College Classroom

Rating:
Summary: A Strategy for Success
Review: "The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success." It was interesting to find that this text has the same contemporary approach that is used in business today. I have just completed an MBA program, and much of what was presented in this text mirrors what I learned during the program. This is reassuring in that it compares the academic and business environments in a similar light and reinforces that successful business practices can be applied over multiple disciplines. I noticed that many of the suggested readings are those in which I have already been exposed to during the MBA program.

I will undoubtedly consider this text as an integral part of my instructor's toolkit. It is very easy to read, straight and to the point. It's methodical approach makes it easy for the adjunct professor to understand and apply the information provided. The format and content is arranged to provide for quick reference and gives additional reading sources for a more in-depth perspective on the topics covered. The information provided offers sound practices for the college professor, as well as, for teachers at all grade levels. As a part-time teacher, I have used the text on many an occassion and have found it to be valuable in developing a win-win learning environment for both the students and myself. I would most definitely recommend the"Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success" for those teachers who want to be more effective and successful at their trade.

Rating:
Summary: A Strategy for Success
Review: "The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success." It was interesting to find that this text has the same contemporary approach that is used in business today. I have just completed an MBA program, and much of what was presented in this text mirrors what I learned during the program. This is reassuring in that it compares the academic and business environments in a similar light and reinforces that successful business practices can be applied over multiple disciplines. I noticed that many of the suggested readings are those in which I have already been exposed to during the MBA program.

I will undoubtedly consider this text as an integral part of my instructor's toolkit. It is very easy to read, straight and to the point. It's methodical approach makes it easy for the adjunct professor to understand and apply the information provided. The format and content is arranged to provide for quick reference and gives additional reading sources for a more in-depth perspective on the topics covered. The information provided offers sound practices for the college professor, as well as, for teachers at all grade levels. As a part-time teacher, I have used the text on many an occassion and have found it to be valuable in developing a win-win learning environment for both the students and myself. I would most definitely recommend the"Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success" for those teachers who want to be more effective and successful at their trade.

Rating:
Summary: The design and approach of the book, its target reader
Review: Designed for businesspeople and other non-teaching professionals, as well as aspiring academics, The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success begins "where the new adjunct professor is" -- intellectually and emotionally. The book then sequentially addresses each of the major issues impacting classroom success, including course planning, instructional methods, developing exams and evaluating teaching effectiveness. Tools such as an orientation checklist and a model syllabus are provided at the end of each of the 14 chapters to make the adjunct professor's initial teaching experience more effective and rewarding. The book concludes by addressing the formulation of a strategy for those contemplating continuing their teaching long-term. The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success is much more reader-friendly and takes a much more comprehensive approach than other current books on this topic

Rating:
Summary: This book is a must for any part-time instructor.
Review: Having reviewed several books for aspiring and new college instructors, I found The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success to be the one book that will help you most in launching your part-time teaching career. The book addresses not only the technical and logistical aspects of teaching, but the critical emotional and psychological issues that you will experience. Its contents address how to get your first teaching assignment, how to orient yourself to the college, getting the course off to a successful start, building and de-bugging exams, and how to build a long-term part-time teaching career, plus many others important to beginning instructors. Having been an adjunct instructor, I employed its strategies to obtain a full-time postion, and still use the book as a constant resource. The book is extremely reader-friendly, avoiding the "educationese" language of other books on the market, and provides many practical, hands-on examples. This book is a must for any part-time instructor.

Rating:
Summary: Hooray for Directions
Review: I'm about to have my first formal teaching experience at a local community college and was delighted to find a textbook written especially for part-time teachers. As a health care professional, I've had many opportunities to teach clients but this forum is brand new for me. "The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success: Surviving and Thriving in the College Classroom" provides clear, practical information written in a way that holds my interest throughout the book. Each chapter flows seamlessly into the next and provides specific methods ensuring the logical progression of thought. I don't have to re-invent the wheel.

The chapters also provide a variety of ways to make certain that the information is understood: Tips for Thriving, Focus Questions, Through the Adjuncts' Eyes and Review of Key Points reinforce specific ideas and concepts. This is an easy book to read. There is a clarity and conciseness which I found very appealing. It reads like a novel to me in that I am eager to read what is next! It truly is a step-by-step guide to a positive teaching experience.

I recommend this book to any and all who have a desire to share their expertise in a classroom setting. Just as "When the student is ready, the teacher appears, so too, when the teacher is ready the book appears." This is a book that ranks high on my list of favorites.

Rating:
Summary: This book provides a detailed outline for teaching.
Review: The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success provides a personal guideline and outline for teaching. I have been teaching for one year now and I have been able to utlize many strategies for creating a successful framework in the classroom. Dr. Lyons provides samples and examples which include a model syllabus, various orientation checklists, and exercises that compliment your teaching style. The book travels with me and is a part of my permanent library of resources for teaching. It is a must read and will add to your success in the classroom.

Rating:
Summary: The book's approach and contents
Review: The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success begins by providing guidance for aspiring adjunct professors pursuing their initial teaching assignment. It then sequentially addresses each major issue the new professor will encounter, including effective course planning, conducting a successful first class meeting, effective teaching strategies for today's diverse students, essentials of evaluating students' performance, and informal methods of evaluating one's teaching effectiveness.

The approach and contents of The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success have been highlighted in the July 30, 1999 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education, the February 1999 issue of Academic Leader, and the January 25, 1999 issue of Community College Week.

Rating:
Summary: This book provides a detailed outline for teaching.
Review: The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success provides a personal guideline and outline for teaching. I have been teaching for one year now and I have been able to utlize many strategies for creating a successful framework in the classroom. Dr. Lyons provides samples and examples which include a model syllabus, various orientation checklists, and exercises that compliment your teaching style. The book travels with me and is a part of my permanent library of resources for teaching. It is a must read and will add to your success in the classroom.