Good Teaching: A Guide for Students

by Richard A. Watson and Professor Richard A. Watson Ph.D.

From junior college to Ivy League university, the level of teaching ranges from "great to awful," according to Richard A. Watson, who explains not only how to survive but how to profit from and enjoy your college experience.

To help students make important personal choices--what school? what major? what classes?--Watson explains such broad areas as administrative structure, institutional goals, and faculty aspirations.

Charging the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0809321114
• ISBN13: 9780809321117
• Release Date: February 1997
• Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Student responsibility

Great book that tells the truth about obtaining any worthwhile education. College students, really all of us, need to take responsibility for our own learning. Blaming the instructor is just an excuse. Sure, some instructors help the magic happen for students, but real emotional intellegience moves the responsibility for learning onto the individual. 'Bad' instructors make it more difficult, but not impossible. We use this book as an extra credit option in our college success classes.

Telling it as it is, not as you wish it were.

Watson describes the teaching to which a student is likely to be exposed, not only at prestigious universities but any institution of higher learning. The advice in this book is aimed at the thoughtful student who cares to take responsibility for his or her own learning. Keep in mind that we call these places "institutions of learning," not "institutions of teaching." Watson points out that, while most professors are not trained in the techniques of teaching, they are obviously trained in learning and scholarship, and those are excellent credentials for passing on knowledge. I wish every college-bound high school senior could have a copy of this book handed to them with their diploma. I wonder what percentage would read it and take it to heart? I gave this book four stars instead of five because I consider the title to be misleading; I thought it was a book for teachers who are interested in gaining insight into good teaching. Instead I find it is a book for students interested in getting an education.