UC Berkeley Resources

Teaching Effectiveness Award Essays, GSI Teaching & Resource Center. Read about creative solutions to classroom problems developed by your fellow GSIs. The essays are organized under topic headings such as Participation and Discussion; Laboratory and Studio Classes; Group Work and Collaborative Learning; and Diverse Learners and Learning Styles.

Multicultural Education Program, UC Berkeley. Tools for Educators. Explore this gateway to many useful resources for creating an inclusive atmosphere.

Online Courses

Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning. An Introduction to Evidence-Based Undergraduate STEM Teaching. This MOOC introduces key elements of the rich research literature on teaching and learning in higher education, including students’ prior knowledge and misconceptions; providing practice and feedback; student motivation; learning objectives; and assessment of learning. The research and principles apply broadly to many disciplines, though the examples featured are in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning. Advancing Learning Through Evidence-Based STEM Teaching. In this MOOC, instructors learn to research and analyze problems or challenges in their class and design evidence-based interventions to address them.The research and principles apply broadly to many disciplines, though the examples featured are in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Topics include Teaching as Research, Learning through Diversity, and Active Learning.

Articles and Chapters

Brookfield, Stephen (1996). “Through the Lens of Learning: How Experiencing Difficult Learning Challenges and Changes Assumptions about Teaching.” To Improve the Academy 15: 3–15. This entertaining article describes how the author’s experience of learning how to swim gave him insight into the challenges his students face in the classroom.

Brookfield, Stephen and Stephen Preskill (2005). Discussion as a Way of Teaching: Tools and Techniques for Democratic Classrooms. 2nd ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Byrnes, Joseph F. and Mary Ann Byrnes (2009). “Dealing with Students Who Hate Working in Groups.” Effective Group Work Strategies for the College Classroom. Madison: Magna Publications, 6–7.

Davis, Barbara Gross (2009). Tools for Teaching (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass). The print edition is also available at the GSI Teaching & Resource Center.

• Diversity and Inclusion in the Classroom (chap. 5)
• Teaching Academically Diverse Students (chap. 8)
• Encouraging Student Participation in Discussion (chap. 10)
• Asking Questions (chap. 12)
• Informal Group Learning Activities (chap. 22)

Frederick, Peter (1981). “The Dreaded Discussion: Ten Ways to Start.” Improving College and University Teaching 29.3: 109–114. Practical strategies for getting your students talking to one another from the very first week of section.

Books

The following can be checked out at the GSI Teaching & Resource Center (301 Sproul):

Barkley, E., et al. (2005). Collaborative Learning Techniques. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Cross, K. Patricia (2000). Collaborative Learning 101. The Cross Papers 4. League for Innovation in the Community College.

Herman, Jennifer H. and Linda B. Nilson (2018). Creating Engaging Discussions: Strategies for “Avoiding Crickets” in Any Size Classroom and Online. Stylus Press.

Johnson, D., R. Johnson, and K. Smith (1991). Cooperative Learning: Increasing College Faculty Instructional Productivity. ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report, No. 4.

Meyers, C. and T. Jones (1993). Promoting Active Learning: Strategies for the College Classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Millis, B. and P. Cottell (1998). Cooperative Learning for Higher Education Faculty. Oryx Press.

Schultz, Katherine (2009). Rethinking Classroom Participation: Listening to Silent Voices. Teachers College Press.