Nov

26

Understanding “the Pause”

November 26, 2008 | by Will Millhiser | 4 Comments

One of my saxophone mentors told me that “a great jazz solo is the buildup and release of tension.” For nearly a decade, I’ve been wondering if good teaching is the same. There are all sorts of ways we build and release this tension in the classroom and many of us do it.
I was [...]

Nov

21

The Devil is in the Details

November 21, 2008 | by Tomasello | 7 Comments

Several decades ago, when my dissertation advisor told me to “spice up” my writing, I realized that the better my prose became, the more I moved away from the facts–what I saw as “the truth.” Whereas I knew for a fact that “in March 1347, the papal treasury paid five silver pounds for fur hats [...]

Nov

17

Inter-disciplinary Teaching: A Novel Approach

November 17, 2008 | by Sarah Ryan | 2 Comments

Last week I attended an inspirational presentation by two members of our faculty. Christina Christoforatou specializes in Medieval manuscripts, Karen Freedman in abstract design. Together, they are rocking the worlds of their Learning Communities students – teaching abstract thinking and expression through English, Graphic Design, and “tours” to modern art installations.
Christoforatou and Freedman have [...]

Nov

12

Let Them in on What You’re Doing

November 12, 2008 | by Glenn Petersen | 4 Comments

Most of you are probably familiar with the old saw: Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach. I once heard a coda: Those who can’t teach, teach pedagogy. I used to find the notion funny, but as I’ve observed new faculty beginning their careers over the years I’ve come [...]

Nov

7

Usefulness of Tests

November 7, 2008 | by Leah Schanke | 3 Comments

When the idea for a general teaching blog was first formed, David Birdsell, Dean of the School of Public Affairs here at Baruch College, made a great suggestion – writing posts on the face-to-face faculty development events such as our Master Teacher Series. Last week, Edward L. Deci, professor of psychology at the University of [...]