Customer Reviews

Successful Beginnings for College Teaching (Teaching Techniques/Strategies Series, V. 2)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Successful Beginnings is divided into seven chapters, the first six of which focus on one of the following themes: course organization, first-day "icebreakers" to help start the semester well, building a good rapport with students throughout the semester, encouraging student participation and interaction, dealing with misbehavior in the classroom, and keeping students motivated through the mid and end-of-semester "blahs". The final chapter summarizes the main points of each prior chapter. Given the variety of subjects and classroom dynamics that professors work with, McGlynn does an admirable job of offering a variety of suggestions on any given topic. That way, even if certain suggestions aren't very applicable to a given professor's situation, others are more likely to be. My guess is that chapters one and four will be most beneficial to all teachers regardless of their subject matter or classroom size.

Now, for a few of the shortcomings. First, although there is likely some merit to the section, "The Chilly Classroom Climate" in chapter three, I think she gets a bit too politically correct here. For better or worse, students and professors alike will always have their biases which will affect the learning environment. Fortunately, as McGlynn herself notes, the suggestions she gives are more about enhancing the learning environment for all students than they are about accommodating "outsider" groups. Also, some of the "get to know you" exercises in chapter two strike me as a bit goofy for certain classes. For example, if you're teaching a calculus or astronomy class, does it really matter that you find out who in the class likes chocolate, is Jewish, has a twin, was born outside the U.S., etc? Probably not. However, if one is teaching a sociology or social psychology class, this might be helpful. In short, the generality of the book is at the same time one of its main strengths and one of its (rather excusable) weaknesses.

Successful Beginnings for College Teaching is by no means the last word on how to be a good teacher, but I doubt the author ever intended it to be. On the other hand, it offers useful suggestions on a variety of relevant topics. As such, it makes a good primer for young professors and a good refresher (or maybe even a renovator) for "old pros".

I'm sorry that this book wasn't available when I first started teaching. This book is such a valuable resource and guide to making all the right moves in preparing for and meeting students for the first time. Faculty in colleges are often isolated, and practical issues are rarely discussed, so "Successful Beginnings" goes a long way to rectify that situation. There is such a nice balance between theory and practical suggestions that experienced faculty will also find this book immediately helpful. Most importantly, Professor McGlynn takes readers beyond the beginnngs of courses to proven methods of effective classroom teaching and course management. She has a wonderful section on concluding courses in meaningful ways, and I plan to use some of her techniques myself at the end of this semester.
If I were an administrator at a college, I would make sure that I got this book into the hands of every new faculty member, full-time or adjunct!

I loved this book and felt so energized to get into my classroom and start using some of the wonderful techniques I learned from the book. McGlynn really knows her stuff and has clearly done some great research on how to get through to students. She shows how today's classrooms are different from those of 20 years ago or more when lecturing was the standard. She provides great information for breaking the ice the first day and then for ways to get the students to be active and engaged in class throughout the semester. Experienced and new teachers will get so much out of this book!

Last night I taught my first-ever college class and used two of the several techniques from the book. Particularly, I used one of the name games to remember the students names, and after just one class I have every name committed to memory. I also used one of the student bonding excercies -- the "things in common" game -- and it actually worked too well. The class went from being distant to very wound-up, but it was all good.

Angela Provitera McGlynn's book "Successful Beginnings for College Teaching: Engaging Your Students from the First Day" is a useful resource for any question that a college professor or instructor could have about the first week of class. Provitera McGlynn has pulled together tips and research from many sources in order to provide the reader with the information they need to create a safe space for the learner and a positive work environment for the instructor. She has sections on diversity, the "impostor's syndrome," classroom management, ice breakers, how to conduct class discussions, dealing with incivility, promoting study skills, receiving feedback, and even how to finish the semester strong! In addition to providing lots of information, it's all presented in a convenient, easy-to-read format that was written with the busy academic in mind.

The only drawback to this book is that some of the ideas are not substantiated with cited research, although when this is the case it likely wouldn't be hard to find a citation backing up the suggestion. I'm also a little disappointed with how hurriedly some topics were treated (e.g., some types of incivility get just a page), but in a slim paperback that sort of thing is to be expected. Certainly, both of these drawbacks are minor compared to all the benefits that the book offers.

I am finding this book very useful as a new instructor! Easy to read and useable info. Author seems very knowledgeable.

I was amazed at how much good advice McGlynn packed into such a short book! I read it in one sitting, and constantly found myself saying, "yes, that's right," or "ok, I'll try that." She not only describes techniques that work for creating a more active learning environment in the classroom, but also (implicitly) explains why they work. To be sure, this is not an "academic book" in the sense of being top heavy with citations and references.

Instead, it is a useful book, written in a very personal, easy-going style. I felt as if I were having a conversation with her, rather than being lectured to. And, of course, that's the kind of classroom she's helping you create, if you follow her advice.

Since this was a requirment for school, can't comment on content. The book arrived in perfect condition and the price was great.