HILT 2016 Conference: Lunch plenary

TL;DR

Harvard faculty members discuss the changes and challenges in teaching over the years, highlighting the importance of incorporating new techniques and fostering a positive classroom environment.

Transcript

Allen was an undergraduate here at Harvard before he went on became got a PhD in economics and at the same time as stateless Stanford was getting an MD so he covered sort of the social sciences and life sciences we have Ned Hall next who is began as a chemist but became a philosopher I'm told and his is the head of the general education committee t... Read More

Key Insights

• 🛀 The dedicated faculty at Harvard have a passion for teaching and have shown a commitment to improving their teaching methods.
• 😕 The use of new technologies and tools in the classroom has presented both challenges and opportunities for faculty, with many feeling confused about how to effectively incorporate them.
• ✋ Today's students have unique challenges and opportunities, such as high anxiety levels, a desire for success, and a passion for making a positive impact on society.
• 🏬 Faculty members are increasingly interested in collaborating with colleagues from different departments and programs to enhance their teaching practices.
• 💗 The culture of teaching at Harvard is evolving, with a growing recognition of the importance of both truth-seeking and relational excellence in the classroom.
• 🤗 Faculty members should be open to learning from the educational literature and observation of teaching methods used in other schools and disciplines.

Questions & Answers

Q: How have attitudes towards teaching changed among faculty over the past ten years?

Faculty members have shown a greater interest in teaching and a desire to collaborate with others to improve their teaching methods. However, many feel confused about how to effectively utilize new technologies and tools in the classroom.

Q: What challenges and opportunities do today's students present in the classroom?

Students today have a high level of anxiety about their future and put great emphasis on success. They also have shorter attention spans due to the impact of social media. However, they are passionate about excelling and have deep idealism, making them eager to contribute to society.

Q: What are some low-hanging fruit strategies for improving teaching?

Strategies include learning and using students' names, giving second chances on assessments, encouraging questions from students, and banning electronics in the classroom. It is also important to prioritize attendance, set high grading standards, and build a positive classroom environment.

Q: Is there an appetite among faculty to learn from other schools and disciplines about teaching methods?

Yes, there is a growing interest among faculty to learn from other schools and disciplines. Collaborations across different departments and programs have shown promising results in terms of pedagogical innovation and the development of diverse teaching methods.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Harvard faculty members discuss their observations since returning to Harvard, including the dedication of faculty to teaching.

• The faculty members explore the changing attitudes towards teaching, such as the increased interest in collaboration and the need for more formal training.

• They also discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by today's students, including their anxiety and desire for success.