Customer Reviews

The Skillful Teacher: On Technique, Trust, and Responsiveness in the Classroom (Jossey Bass Higher and Adult Education)

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Brookfield writes in a personal tone, sharing what he has learned in 20 years of teaching adults. He suggests that college students are adults, and should be taught as such. This is the sort of book you like to read when you've had a bad day and think no one else feels like this. Brookfield makes it okay to talk about things like feelings, discouragement, inferiority, degree of student involvement, etc. For beginning students or veterans alike, this book can easily become a teacher's friend--a source of comfort, ideas, and challenges which can help you survive and grow, both personally and professionally.

This book provides practical, yet not presciptive, advice about how to handle many aspects of teaching adults, especially in the community college/4-year college setting. When reading the book, you are privy to the valuable insights of a veterean educator, as if present to an intimate and reflective conversation about what it is like to teach this population. Again, The Skillful Teacher: On Technique, Trust, and Responsiveness in the Classroom is not a how-to book, but rather one that successfully provides the moorings to becoming a great teacher.

Brookfield is a key expert in pedagogy and andragogy(adult learning). He writes clearly with a non-academic/jargon style. A "must" for teachers from a humble scholar and teacher; no hubris here. Should be required reading for teachers at all levels for discussion and comment. This edition is well updated. A good vehicle for faculty development.

This book is filled with practical advice written in a very easy to understand style. While reading it, I felt like I was getting sound, friendly advice from a mentor rather than being preached to. I especially liked how the author extensively addresses the emotional issues and potential tensions that can arise in a classroom of adult learners and how you can overcome these barriers to learning. Teaching is as much about interpersonal interaction as it is about the imparting of knowledge and Brookfield gives substantial amounts of text to addressing the interpersonal aspects of teaching in a very down to earth and easily applicable way.

This book is a valuable reference for those who are teaching adult learners, especially in a community college situation where you are faced with students from a wide variety of education and socioeconomic backgrounds with varied goals and expectations.

I know Stephen and he is such a prolific writer in the field of Adult Education. This is a great read, written for anyone interested in teaching and improving their skills.

I was very satisfied with the condition of the book and how fast I received the book. I needed it for a class and it really arrived very quickly. Thanks so much.