Customer Reviews

Ask The Teacher: A Practitioner's Guide to Teaching and Learning in the Diverse Classroom (2nd Edition)

5 star:		(116)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I also purchased this book for a teaching credential/graduate program. It was one of the first books I purchased and it immediately appealed to me as a parent and an educator. It is written in easy to understand language, yet deals with complex subjects. Many discussions about proposed changes at my children's school were addressed in Ask the Teacher. I felt more equipped to participate in those discussions with this book in my hand. In addition, I found that I used the book throughout my two year graduate program in other classes. The Q & A format is great for getting introductory information about specific issues. If more information was desired, I found additional resources through his bibliography. I have also used the book in my classroom when reflecting on how to address specific issues in a better way. It is unusual to find a book helpful beyond a class, in both your professional and personal life. This one will stay on my bookcase.

I bought this book for my teaching/credential program and found it very interesting. It gave me a lot of helpful information for teaching and different strategies to use. The book also gave a lot of extra resources in the bibliography that are helpful in many different areas of teaching and beyond the classroom. I liked the way the author set up the book and made it an easy reference guide for the reader to learn new information. I would definately recommend this book for students and teachers to keep in their library!

I am a secondary History and Spanish teacher and have almost completed my Master's in Education. This is one textbook that I actually enjoyed reading and quite honestly in my teaching education, there have only been a handful of enjoyable textbooks. "Ask the Teacher" is practical, clear cut, to the point and not filled with the usual turn off of boring language. I particularly enjoyed how it had a different format than the traditional textbook as it is in a Q & A format. This is what sets it apart from the usual monotonous textbook. It is more of a guide and a "handbook" to teaching. I enjoyed Ryan's useful tips and use them in my classroom. I also have had the pleasure of taking a separate class (not with this particular book) from Mark Ryan and can attest that he is an incredibly knowledgeable and down-to-earth educator.

This book was the easiest to read of all assigned textbooks, while taking graduate courses at National University. To be honest, most assigned readings put me to sleep...this book was more like what I read for pleasure. It was a nice change to have something that was both informative and easy to read! This book is a keeper.

I bought this teacher's guide for a class at National University. It has all sorts of useful info. for the classroom. Also, I had Mark Ryan, the author, as one of my instructors for a different course. His knowledge is broad and I respect his opinions and the advice he shares in his book. I used "Ask The Teacher" for citations in other classes more than any other text. It is a great resource to have on hand. In addition to that, I appreciate Mark Ryan's pro-parent stance. Time and time again he advocates parent involvement and teacher/parent communication. I would recommend this book to anyone who is working on their teaching credential or who is a new teacher looking for some solid advice from a seasoned veteran on virtually every aspect of teaching.

Out of the textbooks for my six classes at National I have taken so far, this one has been the most disappointing.

The book usually takes one view and explains how this practice is the best way to do it. I expect a more nuanced approach for a graduate level book. Footnoting with studies supporting each view would have added a lot to the credibility of the book. For the views advocated, which come across as facts, there is no backing up of why this view is correct.

The book lost a lot of credibility with me when it had all the positives on bilingual education, but none of the negatives. The book does not mention proposition 227. Proposition 227 passed with a huge majority, even though being outspent 5 to 1, and resulted in the dismantling of most bilingual education programs in the public school system in CA due to frustration in the general population with the perceived results. My opinion, is bilingual education was in most school systems poorly implemented and the powers that backed it would not make any modifications, that resulted in a huge backlash.

Another not so controversial example. Title of section. Teachers Should Distribute Lecture Notes. Book is in a Q and A format. Question is basically, Why don't teachers give a copy of their lectures notes. Answer is four paragraphs long and is yes they should. There are no references to any studies on this thesis. No way I can further research this to see if this is true for all types of learners (visual, audio, etc.), for certain subject, ages, etc.

Bottom line. If you don't mind a highly opinionated book on best practices for a teacher, buy this. It really should be retitled "opinions on best practice for Teaching And Learning" If you want a book that backs up the opinions of the writer with case studies, or one that examines both sides of an opinion, look for another book.

I had to purchase this book for a class at Nationa University for my teaching credential and Masters in Education. I found that not only was the book a great help, so was professor Ryan. The book is easy to reference and you can always dig deeper with the references provided by Ryan. I am currently teaching and have this book in my classroom for my personal use and for colleages to borrow. Great investment.

This was the first book assigned to us at National University. I found it a great introduction to the world of education. The question and answer format provided some great insight into contemporary perspectives. The format is well designed and reads easily. I have had Mr. Ryan as a teacher and have been impressed both by his writing and willingness to help.

Ask The Teacher is like an encyclopedia for Lesson Planning! The text is easy to read, the information is easy to find, I now use my copy as a reference for every lesson plan... This is a must have for all Educators.

I purchased this book for my class and it provided me with easy referencing on the diversity of student learning and will keep this book in my student/teacher library!