The Chicago Guide to College Science Teaching (Chicago Guides to Academic Life)

Higher education is a strange beast. Teaching is a critical skill for scientists in academia, yet one that is barely touched upon in their professional training—despite being a substantial part of their career. This book is a practical guide for anyone teaching STEM-related academic disciplines at the college level, from graduate students teaching lab sections and newly appointed faculty to well-seasoned professors in want of fresh ideas. Terry McGlynn’s straightforward, no-nonsense approach avoids off-putting pedagogical jargon and enables instructors to become true ambassadors for science. For years, McGlynn has been addressing the need for practical and accessible advice for college science teachers through his popular blog __Small Pond Science__. Now he has gathered this advice as an easy read—one that can be ingested and put to use on short deadline. Readers will learn about topics ranging from creating a syllabus and developing grading rubrics to mastering learning management systems and ensuring safety during lab and fieldwork. The book also offers advice on cultivating productive relationships with students, teaching assistants, and colleagues. "Teaching is a critical skill for scientists in the academy but one that is hardly emphasized in their professional training. And much of the information that exists about teaching and learning is so full of offputting pedagogical jargon that science teachers can't or won't read it. For years Terry McGlynn has been addressing the need for practical and accessible advice for college science teachers through his blog Small Pond Science, and now he has gathered this advice into a short book. After an introductory chapter about the general principles that teachers should consider in their approach to the classroom, the book covers practical topics ranging from creating a syllabus and developing grading rubrics to mastering learning management systems and ensuring safety during lab and fieldwork. It also offers advice on cultivating productive relationships with students, teaching assistants, and departmental colleagues. Although aimed primarily at those just beginning their careers across the full spectrum of STEM disciplines, McGlynn's advice will also reinvigorate many teachers who have been working in the classroom for years without this kind of pedagogical training"-- Provided by publisher Higher education is a strange beast. Teaching is a critical skill for scientists in academia, yet one that is barely touched upon in their professional training—despite being a substantial part of their career. This book is a practical guide for anyone teaching STEM-related academic disciplines at the college level, from graduate students teaching lab sections and newly appointed faculty to well-seasoned professors in want of fresh ideas. Terry McGlynn's straightforward, no-nonsense approach avoids off-putting pedagogical jargon and enables instructors to become true ambassadors for science. For years, McGlynn has been addressing the need for practical and accessible advice for college science teachers through his popular blog Small Pond Science . Now he has gathered this advice as an easy read—one that can be ingested and put to use on short deadline. Readers will learn about topics ranging from creating a syllabus and developing grading rubrics to mastering online teaching and ensuring safety during lab and fieldwork. The book also offers advice on cultivating productive relationships with students, teaching assistants, and colleagues.