Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning by James M. Lang, Book Group

Led by Sean Sean Pollock, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History and Faculty Director of Center for Teaching and Learning.  Thanks to developments in the learning sciences, there has arguably never been a better time to be a teacher.  But who has the time to stay current with the growing body of learning-related research in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and biology?   And who has the time to undertake comprehensive course redesign?   In Small Teaching, James Lange makes this research accessible to non-specialists, and proposes “an approach that seeks to spark positive change in higher education through small but powerful modifications to our course design and teaching practices.”   The book showcases research-based teaching interventions   that cross disciplines and content types, small shifts that can translate into every type of teaching environment in higher education.   According to Lang, these small shifts “require minimal preparation and grading,” and are therefore especially important for time-pressed adjunct instructors.
Because the book’s content and organization lends itself to multiple meetings, the book group will meet three times over the course of the semester: October 10, November 14, December 12: 10:10 am – 11:05 am.