This author discovered that his most powerful tool in the classroom was not to lecture, but to stop speaking at all. The effect of the resulting silence was even more positive than he could have imagined.

A teacher faces hostility from certain colleagues who view his decision to attend a controversial lecture as tantamount to the repudiation of the principle of inclusive education and the rights of students with disabilities. The teacher sees the proposed boycott of the lecture as a form of censorship threatening freedom of inquiry and critical…

The development of nine student-constructed lecture feedback questionnaires, whose objective is to help teachers identify general weaknesses and strengths and then further analyze them by breaking down these characteristics into specific associated behaviors is described. Teacher reaction to their use is discussed. (MSE)

Describes ten common technical mistakes most graduate teaching assistants make while teaching, such as projecting a weak presence, relying too heavily on their notes, posing vague questions, and not reinforcing student participation. Offers suggestions for correcting the mistakes. States that faculty might want to monitor their own teaching…

A study developing a model for assessing teacher motivation and instructional development needs for a developing university system in northern Nigeria is presented. The problem of motivating professors and lecturers to teach effectively is especially acute there. The study focused on patterns of perceptions and behaviors of Nigerian lecturers that…

Maintains that helping to see the personal relevance of course material is an important instructional goal. Discusses student characteristics, instructor characteristics, and the use of discussion groups. Describes four strategies to personalize information presented in large lecture sessions. (CFR)

Maintains that philosophical concepts in geography are widely regarded as an important element in geography degrees, yet students have problems understanding them. Describes how a large lecture course was modified to promote understanding by increasing interaction between lecturer and student. (CFR)

Asserts that increasing enrollments in college-level geography courses have led to larger class sizes and the dangers of impersonal treatment of students. Provides suggestions for improved interpersonal connections, connections with the content being studied, and connections with the world beyond the university. (CFR)

Discusses four pedagogical issues that arise in teaching policy analysis to undergraduates. Describes three components of the case method approach. Outlines areas where the case method approach improved student performance and identifies its limitations. (CFR)