We will be discussing What the Best College Teachers Do, by Ken Bain (2004). ** 4 copies of the book are available at the BioSci Library. Or you can access the eBook here: https://library.ohio-state.edu/record=b8362711~S7 ** We expect that you will attend all 4 meetings of the group and come prepared to discuss the assigned chapters. You will receive 8 points for coming to the 4 meetings. The reading prompts for Session 2 can be found below and using this link: https://osu.box.com/s/ojix8431mw8ifsev5g33vw4gvd3mj2km Session 2 – Chapters 2 and 3 (What Do They Know about How We Learn? & How Do They Prepare to Teach); pages 22 – 67. I. Alan Kalish, former Director of OSU Faculty and TA Development and current Assistant Vice Provost within OSU’s Office of Academic Affairs, often says, “You don’t get to teach the students you wish you had, you teach the students in front of you.” Based upon what you’ve read so far, what do you believe Bain would say about that? What do you think? II. What is important in your ideal “natural critical learning environment”? III. What examples of plug and chug lessons can you think of in biology? How could these be redesigned to promote meaningful learning? IV. The OSU Natural Science General Education Curriculum has an objective that involves students learning key events in the history of science. Why is this important? V. On page 49, Bain lists 4 questions that the study subjects ask as they prepared to teach. Have you asked yourself any of these same questions during your instructional planning? How would your teaching differ if you were to focus on these particular questions as you prepare for your next teaching session? How would your teaching stay the same? VI. In chapter 3, Bain gives us a baker’s dozen of planning questions. Choose one question that either… a. …you can explain how it can be used in planning, or b. …you don’t have a clue how it can be useful in planning. Be prepared to explain how it can be used or why it is confusing. Subsequent sessions will focus on the following book sections: Session 3 – Chapters 4 and 5 (What Do They Expect of Their Students? & How Do They Conduct Class?); pages 68 – 134. Session 4 – Chapters 6 and 7 (How Do They Treat Their Students? & How Do They Evaluate Their Students and Themselves?); pages 135 – 172. If you cannot make it to one meeting, email Dave Sovic.2 to discuss participation options.