Tools for Teaching (Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series) [Paperback]

Barbara Gross Davis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1555425682 | ISBN-13: 978-1555425685 | Publication Date: October 15, 1993 | Edition: 1

I've read countless books on teaching strategies over the years, and I can't think of one that compares--in depth, breadth, accessibility, and practicality--to this one. Tools for Teaching has much to say to teachers of all ranks, disciplines, and institutions.
--Mary Deane Sorcinelli, director, Center for Teaching, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

A rich compendium of classroom-tested strategies and suggestions designed to improve the teaching practice of beginning, midcareer, and senior faculty members. Forty-nine teaching tools cover both traditional tasks--writing a course syllabus, delivering a lecture--and newer, broader concerns, such as responding to diversity and using technology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I've read countless books on teaching strategies over the years, and I can't think of one that compares--in depth, breadth, accessibility, and practicality--to this one. Tools for Teaching has much to say to teachers of all ranks, disciplines, and institutions." (Mary Deane Sorcinelli, director, Center for Teaching, University of Massachusetts, Amherst)

"A 'tool chest' of strategies for those who are seeking ways to make their teaching more effective. This book is the kind of resource that will wind up not on faculty members' bookshelves but on their desks and in their briefcases." (Larry A. Braskamp, dean of the College of Education, University of Illinois, Chicago)

From the Inside Flap

A rich compendium of classroom-tested strategies and suggestions any faculty member can use to improve their practice. Forty-nine teaching tools cover both traditional tasks -- writing a course syllabus, delivering a lecture -- and newer, broader concerns, such as responding to diversity and using technology.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (October 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555425682
• ISBN-13: 978-1555425685
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #365,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but outdated, May 15, 2003

By 

John Markwell "biochem_guy" (Lincoln, NE USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tools for Teaching (Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series) (Paperback)

I find myself ambivalent about this book. I have been teaching University students since 1982 and was hoping for new tricks and techniques that might help me to continue improving. This book is a compilation of such tricks and techniques that might prove useful to a new Assistant Professor. However, the book was originally written in 1993 and has few references more recent than 1992. I'm not sure how many faculty need to know how to use the three-layer blackboards that used to be standard fixtures at the front of giant lecture halls. The description of multimedia uses Hypercard as the example of what's state-of-the-art. The few references to Internet resources have BITNET addresses. Much has changed in the classroom since 1992, but the new teacher won't learn about it from this source. Although this book would be helpful for teachers in the undergraduate classroom, I feel that they will also find it frustrating.

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teachers everywhere can benefit from this book, March 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tools for Teaching (Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series) (Paperback)

I've been teaching for almost ten years now, and frankly didn't think this book would do much for me. WAS I WRONG! There are so many useful things in this book -- even experienced teachers can learn something. You can find tips that will help the novice -- how to structure a lecture course vs. a discussion course; to tips that will help you implement new things -- group work, role-playing, etc. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly answered prayer!, November 23, 2001

By 

Oscar A. Santiago (Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tools for Teaching (Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series) (Paperback)

In my first teaching jobs, I had the unfortunate experience of being supervised by people who were barely (if at all) qualified to do such an important job. I had to learn how to teach the hard way. Thank God that over the years of perseverance and gained experience my supervisors and my clients (my students) seem to be happy with the educational services that I offer. However, I wish, that I had found out about this book earlier on my teaching career. That way, I could have avoided a lot of headaches. Dr. Gross Davis has done an excellent job on compiling and on organizing different suggestions on how to become an effective teacher. I found it very organized, easy to understand, and most of all very practical. I do not regret having bought this book. As a matter of fact, I treasure it a lot. God bless you, Dr. Gross Davis! I look forward to an update. This book can be a very helpful tool to new and to experienced teachers. It should be on every educator's personal library.