Publisher description

In this much needed resource, Maryellen Weimer-one of the nation's most highly regarded authorities on effective college teaching-offers a comprehensive work on the topic of learner-centered teaching in the college and university classroom. As the author explains, learner-centered teaching focuses attention on what the student is learning, how the student is learning, the conditions under which the student is learning, whether the student is retaining and applying the learning, and how current learning positions the student for future learning. To help educators accomplish the goals of learner-centered teaching, this important book presents the meaning, practice, and ramifications of the learner-centered approach, and how this approach transforms the college classroom environment. Learner-Centered Teaching shows how to tie teaching and curriculum to the process and objectives of learning rather than to the content delivery alone.

The book elucidates the fundamental importance of high-quality assessment to student academic well-being and promotes the development of student self-assessment as a critically important life skill.Provides a clear, common sense description of all assessment methods (selected response, essay, performance, and personal communication) and how to align them with relevant achievement targets (knowledge, reasoning, skills, products, and dispositions). Easy-to-read and free of technical jargon, this book focuses squarely on what teachers need to know in order to make assessment work in classrooms.

"This resource is a well constructed introduction to learner-centered assessment, complete with practical, ready-to-implement assessment techniques. Designed to bring you up to speed quickly, the book is grounded in the principles of constructivist learning theory and continuous improvement. It helps you to connect with what you already know about assessment, integrate that knowledge with new information, and try new approaches to enhance your students' learning. You see clearly what it means to shift from a teacher-centered paradigm of instruction to a learner-centered paradigm."--BOOK JACKET.

"A superb book that does exactly what it promises: takes the reader from theory to practice. Rich with clear prose, strong research, and thoughtful reflection, this useful tool is for teachers who want to engage students more deeply with each other, the content, and the world—all for the sake of real learning." —Parker J. Palmer Author, The Courage to Teach Facilitate the growth of successful learning communities—both in the classroom and schoolwide! Teachers at every level face the challenge of finding a balance between learner-centered philosophies and day-to-day classroom life. Aligned with progressive educational thought, this book shows teachers how to make the jump from theory to practice and cultivate learning communities in the classroom and in their schools. The authors help both new and experienced educators engage in a fundamental shift in their teaching approach: from behaviorism to constructivism; from following recipes to understanding the learning process; from standardized, age-based expectations to using standards for individualizing expectations and instruction; and from coercing obedience to facilitating students′ authority and autonomy. Readers will find examples illustrating learner-centered strategies in action, information about how to work more effectively with students with special needs, and methods for: Organizing the classroom Planning instruction for individuals, small groups, or an entire class Building students′ responsibility for their own learning Observing, assessing, and reporting student growth Practical and accessible, Cultivating the Learner-Centered Classroom is an essential companion for teachers who want to empower and motivate students for lifelong learning.

The widely used STEM education book, updated Teaching and Learning STEM: A Practical Guide covers teaching and learning issues unique to teaching in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. Secondary and postsecondary instructors in STEM areas need to master specific skills, such as teaching problem-solving, which are not regularly addressed in other teaching and learning books. This book fills the gap, addressing, topics like learning objectives, course design, choosing a text, effective instruction, active learning, teaching with technology, and assessment—all from a STEM perspective. You’ll also gain the knowledge to implement learner-centered instruction, which has been shown to improve learning outcomes across disciplines. For this edition, chapters have been updated to reflect recent cognitive science and empirical educational research findings that inform STEM pedagogy. You’ll also find a new section on actively engaging students in synchronous and asynchronous online courses, and content has been substantially revised to reflect recent developments in instructional technology and online course development and delivery. Plan and deliver lessons that actively engage students—in person or online Assess students’ progress and help ensure retention of all concepts learned Help students develop skills in problem-solving, self-directed learning, critical thinking, teamwork, and communication Meet the learning needs of STEM students with diverse backgrounds and identities The strategies presented in Teaching and Learning STEM don’t require revolutionary time-intensive changes in your teaching, but rather a gradual integration of traditional and new methods. The result will be a marked improvement in your teaching and your students’ learning.

"Although the term is often used loosely, a student-centered approach does not mean anything goes. To be effective, any approach to teaching must meet challenging criteria, and a student-centered approach is no exception. The Student-Centered Classroom: Transforming Your Teaching and Grading Practices lays out six teaching practices that will help teachers create a coherent, effective, and immensely satisfying student-centered approach. Author Jeanetta Jones Miller calls upon years of hands-on classroom teaching experience to guide teachers through trying something new, even when everyone else seems content to do things the way they always have"--