UWA SPOT/SET Project

22)  I have enjoyed attending the class

If students were asked what makes for a good class, they will invariably say the enthusiasm of the teacher, that the teacher is seen as 'human' and shows an interest in the students, a willingness to give appropriate feedback, they have been challenged, and perhaps a sense of humour.

·         Patricia Cranton (2001) says that 'teaching is not a technical skill .. teaching is communicative" (p. 50).  She stresses the importance of being yourself in the classroom, being an 'authentic teacher'. Cranton gives some guidelines on becoming an authentic teaching.  If the teacher enjoys teaching then perhaps the students will enjoy coming to class too.

·         Parson (2001) gives examples of teacher behaviours that indicate enthusiasm and convey an inner attitude of the teacher outwardly, to the students.

·         Davis, Wood & Wilson (1983) present suggestions concerning the use of concrete or memorable examples as an interesting style of presentation.

Cranton, P. (2001). Becoming an authentic teacher in higher education. Malabar, FL: Krieger.

Davis, B. G., Wood, L., & Wilson, R. C. (1983). A Berkeley compendium of suggestions for teaching with excellence [World Wide Web]. The University of California. Retrieved 20 October, 2002, from the World Wide Web: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/compendium/suggestions/file24.html

Parson, M. (2001). Enthusiasm and feedback: A winning combination! [World Wide Web]. PE CENTRAL. Retrieved 26 September, 2001, from the World Wide Web: http://www.pecentral.org/climate/monicaparsonarticle.html