Facilitating student learning : a practical guide for tertiary-level teachers

Abstract

It is becoming increasingly widely recognized that the main role of tertiary–level teachers now is to help their students to learn. This book will help teachers working in all sectors of further and higher education to adapt to this new role, and act as effective and efficient facilitators of student learning. The structure of the book reflects that of the highly successful course on tertiary-level teaching that has been run at The Robert Gordon University since 1989. It deals in turn with the following topics: how students learn–a review of the main theories, the system approach to educational development, formulating appropriate student learning outcomes, choosing and using appropriate teaching or learning methods, choosing and using appropriate student assessment methods, and evaluating your effectiveness as a facilitator of learning. One of the features of the book is the large number of illustrative exemplars and detailed case studies, mostly based on the authors´ own experience or on material provided by colleagues. The treatment is, however, sufficiently generic to make the book of equal value to readers in all parts of the English–speaking world, as well as in countries such as Malaysia where English is understood and spoken by most educational practitioners. Throughout, the book is practical rather than theoretical, providing a wealth of helpful advice and guidance to readers.