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Matthew Lynch published in Diversity, Higher Education

Diversity In Higher Education Should be More than a Buzzword

Diversity is often spoken of as a goal of leadership in some of the country’s most prominent higher education institutions. But paying lip service to the concept doesn’t always translate into action. The problem is that, by failing to take action, a lack of diversity means college students are missing out on unique opportunities that may only present in environments that promote racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, and even socio-economic diversity within their constructs.

However, as a term, “diversity” often brings anxiety. There is little agreement about which methods actually promote diversity in higher education, as well as for measuring the outcomes associated with a more diverse educational environment.

In some research, diversity within social groups can lead to decreased communication, discomfort, greater perceived interpersonal conflict, and other issues that lead to more challenging interactions. But, diversity is also recognized to bring something very important to the table: creativity.

More Experience, More Innovation

A diverse group, such as a student body, class, or work group, has a larger range of personal experience. This widens the cumulative perspective of the participants, giving them a larger frame of reference when solving problems. Additionally, there is an increased likelihood that the strengths of one member will balance the weaknesses of another.

As a whole, a diverse population often has access to more information than a similarly sized, but homogenous group. That allows a more diverse group to reach greater levels of innovation and problem-solving.

For example, if the goal was to design a new skyscraper, choosing a team of students who all major in architecture could lead to shortcomings. Even though knowledge of architecture will play a key role, involvement from other majors, like engineering, would lead to a better end result.

Often, it can be challenging for individuals to account properly for the needs or preferences of those not like them. It isn’t intentional so much as a lack of differing perspective. When asked to solve a problem, an individual only has their own experience and knowledge with which to work. Since that leaves them operating in an inherently limited fashion, their response will reflect only their personal narrative.

Diversity Implies Differences

In some cases, the simple implication of diversity being a factor can produce more favorable results. It isn’t uncommon for individuals to assume that an apparently more diverse group will have key differences in experience and perspective.

Often, these unconscious assumptions (or biases) are automatically considered negative as they are the results of judgments made on limited information. However, when a group that perceives itself as diverse works together, the assumption of differences can actually lead to great innovation when the group is motivated to work together. Since the participants assume it will be more challenging to reach a consensus, most unconsciously prepare to work harder than if they were faced with the same task with a more homogenous team. And, ultimately, increased effort often yields better results.

Diversity Supports Diversity

People automatically feel more comfortable when there is someone like them already in an organization, including educational institutions like colleges and universities. In fact, minority populations often cite diversity as an important factor when evaluating employers, and likely have a similar sentiment when selecting colleges or universities.

When schools are working to attract the most talented students from across the country, having a more diverse student body and faculty can be a benefit that attracts the best and brightest regardless of their background. And once diversity is established as part of the paradigm, it is often self-perpetuating.

 

 

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Matthew Lynch published in Diversity, Higher Education

What Should We be Teaching Minority High School Students about College?

It’s a well-known fact that a college education is becoming necessary for many jobs. Companies are listing bachelor’s degrees as requirements on vacancy announcements, automatically screening out anyone who doesn’t have the needed education. And as technology replaces the work of employees in certain traditionally unskilled labor positions, the number of opportunities for those with just a high school diploma only seems to shrink.

But going to college isn’t an automatic choice for many. In fact, what they are taught in high school about the college experience has a major impact on a student’s decision. So, what should we be teaching minority high school students about college? Here are some places to start.

How to Pay for It

One of the most intimidating things about going to college is the cost. Stories about graduates drowning in student loan debt are plentiful, making many hesitant to take loans even if they are offered. And, for students from particularly low-income families, just seeing the number associated with a school’s annual tuition may be more than they can manage mentally.

It is critical that minority students have a thorough understanding of all of the options for paying tuition. This includes everything from need-based government grants, such as the Federal Pell Grant, to merit-based institutional scholarships to private scholarship opportunities offered by industry organizations and charities.

Taking the time to teach minority students about what is available, as well as how to apply for these funds, can make the financial burden more manageable, or even non-existent. As financial barriers are removed, more high school students may be able to take advantage of the opportunities provided by a college education.

The Range of Options

Going to college doesn’t mean you have to pursue a traditional four-year degree. Currently, there is a looming shortage of skilled tradespeople like welders, electricians, machinists, plumbers, and carpenters. And that shortage means there are significant opportunities for those interested in exploring these careers.

Often, obtaining education focused on a skilled trade is less expensive than a traditional university education, and many programs can be completed in just a couple of years. In some cases, those attending classes can gain experience through apprenticeships, allowing them to work on their education while earning wages.

Additionally, many programs focused on skilled trades don’t require the same general education requirements as a four-year degree. That means that, if a student struggled in classes like history or literature, it is a non-issue for completing many trade-oriented programs.

Helping high school students understand that these options are available can encourage those who may think that a college education isn’t for them to reconsider.

There is Help for Struggling Students

Colleges and universities often have departments and services created to help students succeed. This includes access to tutors and study groups. Additionally, some college instructors are available outside of their classroom hours to assist students who want to learn but are having trouble grasping a particular topic.

Institutions of higher learning want their students to succeed, so there are mechanisms in place to help make the dream of obtaining a degree a reality. But students need to know that they are there when assistance is needed.

With the right information, more minority students may feel comfortable pursuing more education once they graduate from high school. By managing concerns about tuition costs, educational requirements, available programs, and the availability of assistance, the college experience may feel more accessible to everyone.

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Matthew Lynch published in Diversity, Higher Education

The Key to Providing More Access in Higher Education

Talk about the need to make a college-level education more accessible is common. Everyone understands that a college education is valuable and that many jobs list a degree as a requirement for applying, so those without a college degree are missing out on opportunities. So, what does it take to make higher education accessible to a larger portion of the population? Affordability.

Understanding Affordability

There are numerous programs designed to help students pay for college. Some options, like grants and scholarships, allow students to access funds that do not need to be repaid under most circumstances. But these funds don’t make the college experience more affordable, just cheaper.

If something is affordable, it is considered within one’s financial means. And for many, the cost of tuition today just isn’t affordable.

The Affordability of Applying

A surprising barrier for many low-income students applying to college are the fees associated with the application process. For example, SAT, ACT, and AP exam fees can be substantial. Then, once suitable scores are earned, an additional fee is required for every educational institution to which they apply.

While many of these fees are waived for those meeting certain income-based criteria, the income requirements are often quite strict. Students whose families are slightly above the cutoff will find these costs challenging. That can mean that low-income households may only be able to afford for the student to take one exam, a single time. Additionally, they will be limited to the number of colleges to which they can apply.

By lowering, or eliminating, some of these costs, higher education can be more accessible to lower income households. They will have more opportunities to to college entrance exams, giving them chances to improve their scores over time, as well as the option of applying to more schools.

Improving Tuition Affordability

The costs of higher education have risen dramatically; at one point tripling over the course of three decades. However, the average rise in household income is comparably negligible. And that means that a college education has become less affordable over time, even though it is now considered to be a necessity.

Lower-income students who don’t find sufficient grants or scholarships to manage the majority of the cost will likely determine a degree to be outside of their reach. Even if loans are available, the amounts required may be too intimidating to students who are part of a household whose annual income falls well below the amount charged as tuition.

Even if tuition amounts can’t be lowered, the affordability for low-income students can be improved by providing resources to help them obtain as much financial assistance. Providing education about available opportunities and assistance in meeting application requirements will help student access more funding sources, and possibly eliminate out-of-pocket expenses.

Cost is the Barrier

Often, the primary barrier to any student and a college education is the cost. While tuition and fees can’t be eliminated from the paradigm, resources are available to help those most in need navigate these expenses more efficiently. Additionally, widen the requirements for free or low-cost testing and application fees to improve the chances that low-income students will receive suitable scores and be accepted into high-quality schools.

Affordability is the key.

 

 

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Matthew Lynch published in Diversity, Higher Education

We Need More Diversity in Information Technology in Higher Education

The demand for information technology workers is growing, and the available supply isn’t keeping pace. With the retirement of the baby boomer generation in full swing, worker shortages are only going to be more apparent in the year to come. And, if the information technology field can’t attract a more diverse population, the field is going to suffer.

Tech companies are generally not known for diversity. The IT workforce is predominantly white or Asian males. Even though many companies announce diversity initiatives on a regular basis, they can only hire from the worker pool that is available. And that pool is created based on their choices in higher education.

Minorities in Computer Science

In 2013, a study showed that out of all of the bachelor’s degrees awarded through 179 prestigious universities, 4.5 percent were awarded to black students and 6.5 percent went to Hispanic students. However, the US Census Bureau showed that the population was 12.6 percent black and 16.3 percent Hispanic as of 2010.

This suggests that minority students aren’t being attracted into the computer science field. Couple this with the low number of black and Hispanic students participating in the AP Computer Science exam in high school, and that fact becomes more apparent.

Since black and Hispanic students are underrepresented in technology-oriented education, they will be underrepresented in the information technology workforce as well. And this issue is compounded by negative impressions many minorities have regarding the culture at many tech companies.

Minority Hiring at Tech Companies

The hiring numbers from tech giants like Google, Apple, and Facebook do not paint a welcoming picture to minority students interested in technical fields. Often, this negative impression leads minorities to seek work in lower-paying positions outside of traditional tech companies. In fact, many default to office or administrative positions even though their degrees indicate greater potential.

So how can additional diversity in information technology higher education help overcome low levels of hiring? By creating a larger qualified candidate pool of minority students. If there are more available, then companies may be moved to hire more minority applicants.

Improving Diversity

Part of what encourages students to pursue specific degrees is a sense of belonging. Often, this involves finding a role model with traits similar to their own as a source of inspiration to move forward. In technology, the population working in the field lacks diversity, making it more challenging for students to find suitable role models from which to choose.

In some cases, the lack of diversity is apparent even sooner. For example, university, college, and high school teachers are seen as representatives of the field for many students. If there is no diversity in hiring for these teaching positions, minority students may be less inclined to picture themselves pursuing these fields even if they otherwise have an interest in the work.

If educational institutions hire with an unconscious bias, similar to what may exist in the technology community as a whole, then they are likely to choose instructors based on preconceived notions instead of purely on capability. By breaking the cycle, and introducing computer science and technology students to a diverse group of educators throughout their schooling, the amount of diversity in the field as a whole can increase. And, once diversity is seen as the norm, that will support a cycle of diversity and inclusion instead of what we see today.

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Matthew Lynch published in HBCU's, Higher Education

The Edvocate’s List of 40 Must-Read Higher Education Blogs

*The Edvocate is pleased to produce its “Best of the Best” resource lists. These lists provide our readers with rankings for education-related blogs, twitter accounts, influencers, products, etc. These lists are meant to be fluid, and for that reason, they are regularly updated to provide up to the moment information.*

The world of higher education is unlike any other sphere. It is a place where young people strive to learn who they are and find a career path, where leading experts pass on knowledge, and many people simply try to figure out what they want to do.

There are so many thought leaders and experts in the realm of higher education. This can make trying to wade through a wealth of higher education blogs seem impossible. The following list can help you find some of the most insightful, educational, and entertaining blogs in higher education. We’ve even gone through and ranked them to help you determine which are the most helpful.

The rankings for are broken down into four categories.

  1. Activity (25%). Blogs need to be regularly updated. The blogs that are updated daily (or almost daily) score well here.
  2. Originality (25%). Sites should offer something new so that they have more value (otherwise, why would you read them).
  3. Helpfulness (25%). There is a lot of information in higher education, so the sites need to be helpful for resolving problems and knowing what is happening. A high score here means that the site is almost universally helpful – if it deals more with a niche, the score could be a little lower as it will not be useful or helpful to everyone interested in higher education.
  4. Authority (25%). The blogger or bloggers are experts or authorities in the field. If the blogger or bloggers are not experts (they could be in the media or writers who aren’t experts), the score will be lower.

The blogs are ranked first by their total score in these four areas. That will show you which ones are popular and are likely to contain information trending in your field. We also endeavored to give you a quick summary of what each blog covers.

  1. Higher Ed: NPR

Managed by NPR, this is a blog that covers all of the latest news, both highly publicized and little-known topics, making it a must read for anyone in higher education. It has something for students, staff, faculty, and administrators, and can help you keep current with the rapidly changing world of academia.

Score:  Active 25, Original 25, Helpfulness 24, Authority 24
Total: 98

Twitter: @NPR_ED

  1. Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

This blog provides a look at education from many different angles. The site is updated daily, but the blogs are updated a couple of times a month (sometimes more often based on the time of year). As the name suggests, it highlights the issues of concern to minorities in education.

Score:  Active 24, Original 25, Helpfulness 24, Authority 24
Total: 97

Twitter: @DiverseIssues

Newsletter: http://diverseeducation.com/news/subform.html

  1. Prof Hacker

This blog focuses on teaching, technology, and productivity within academia, but it does occasionally stray into politics when the latest news affects higher education.

Score:  Active 25, Original 24, Helpfulness 22, Authority 25
Total: 96

Twitter: @ProfHacker

  1. NACAC Admitted

The NACAC (or National Association for College Admission Counseling) is the place to go if you work in admission, or if you (or your kids) are getting ready to take the plunge into the admissions process.

Score:  Active 25, Original 22, Helpfulness 24, Authority 23
Total: 94

Twitter: @NACAC

  1. NAFSA: Association of International Educators

NAFSA focuses on the latest in news, from politics to holidays, around the world. They also offer advice on a number of different topics through guest bloggers.

Score:  Active 22, Original 24, Helpfulness 22.5, Authority 25
Total: 93.5

Twitter: @NAFSA

  1. Campus Technology

For the latest in news about available and upcoming technology on campus, you should have this blog bookmarked. Multiple posts are added daily, making it something you can make part of your regular routine.

Score:  Active 21, Original 24, Helpfulness 23, Authority 25
Total: 93

Twitter: @Campus_Tech

  1. Bryan Alexander

One of the best-known authorities for technology in higher education, this blog covers a wide range of tech-related topics that can be inspirational and informative. From finances to international higher education to the latest news in the US, it is always worth a look to see what he has to say on a weekly basis.

Score:  Active 22, Original 23, Helpfulness 21, Authority 25
Total: 91

Twitter: @BryanAlexander

  1. ACRLog

The blogs focus on things that matter to both librarians and academics. It takes a look at how best to reach students through the library setup, how to manage events and a host of other items that you may not think about when you talk about libraries. It is a niche subject, but it is incredibly helpful to those who need their libraries or who are interested in seeing how best to utilize them in a higher education setting.

Score:  Active 23, Original 25, Helpfulness 19, Authority 22
Total: 89

Email: [email protected]

  1. Inside Higher Ed

This is a site that everyone in higher education should bookmark because it has posts about virtually everything in the field. With an area that goes to other blogs and articles, it is like a search engine just for those in the industry.

Score:  Active 25, Original 20., Helpfulness 21, Authority 22
Total: 88.5

Twitter: @InsideHigherEd

  1. Confessions of a Community College Dean

Followers of this blog get a look into the life and experiences of a dean. With facts, answers, tips, tricks, and the occasional touching tribute, this blog is great for anyone in academia. There are also details about how he balances work with family life so you will get a look into his wit and witticisms on a wide range of subjects. It is done somewhat anonymously, so if you want to contact the blogger, you will have to go through the comments section of the blog.

Score:  Active 25, Original 25, Helpfulness 15, Authority 23
Total: 88

  1. Times Higher Education

A higher education blog staple, Times Higher Education takes in the news and events about and on campus on a daily basis. It is a great way to start the day catching up on events that you may have missed or to prepare for tomorrow.

Score:  Active 25, Original 18.5, Helpfulness 23, Authority 20.9
Total: 86.9

Twitter: @TimesHigherEd

  1. Coursera Blog

Though not specific to higher education, this site covers a lot of related areas (as well as a lot that specifically address higher education issues and ideas).

Score:  Active 23, Original 20, Helpfulness 23, Authority 20.8

Total: 86.8

Twitter: @Coursera

  1. Frontiers

If you are interested in staying current with the latest in elearning, this is the blog to bookmark. With several posts a week, the site covers a range of elearning topics, such as adaptive learning, policies, and the use of the latest virtual tools.

Score:  Active 20.5, Original 21, Help 23, Authority 22
Total: 86.5

Twitter: @WCET_info

  1. Top Hat Blog

Top Hat strives to keep students and professors working together. They cover a good bit of news and assessments about higher education edtech too.

Score:  Active 23, Original 21, Helpfulness 20, Authority 22
Total: 86

Twitter: @TopHat

  1. IIE Opening Minds

The focus of this particular blog is on the various international learning experiences, such as studying abroad and latest learning theories around the globe. It takes a unique look at how to open minds through higher education on the international stage.

Score:  Active 16.9, Original 23, Helpfulness 22, Authority 24
Total: 85.9

Twitter: @IIEglobal

  1. International Student Blog

Designed to help international students, this blog focuses on the issues, concerns, and news specific to the niche. Whether you need advice on socializing in a new country, tips on traveling, or what to expect over the various holidays around the world, it is a great place for those who are learning outside of their home country.

Score:  Active 22, Original 23, Helpfulness 21, Authority 19.7
Total: 85.7

Twitter: @IntStudent

  1. Faculty Focus

Dedicated to professors, assistants, and anyone who teaches in higher education, this blog provides a lot of information on a regular basis. It also stays focused on this area so you will not get sidetracked by news and other topics that tend to dominate other sites.

Score:  Active 25, Original 19.5, Helpfulness 21, Authority 20
Total: 85.5

Twitter: @FacultyFocus

  1. A Millennial Professor’s View of Higher Education

The blog focuses on many of the different aspects of higher education administration and staffing, from finding a job to creating and maintaining long-term relationships in the academic world. If you are an administrator, this is definitely a blog you should be checking out regularly.

Score:  Active 18.3, Original 22, Helpfulness 23, Authority 22
Total: 85.3

Twitter: @drjtedwards

  1. EricStoller.com

This blog highlights many different conferences, technologies, and methods that are instrumental to being successful in the academic world. As it is managed by a consultant in the UK, you can also find some wisdom and words about how to successful work for others around the globe. There is a nice dovetail between the two areas, making it a blog that is great for educators and business professionals.

Score:  Active 18, Original 25, Helpfulness 18, Authority 23
Total: 84

Twitter: @EricStoller

  1. EDUCAUSE Blogs

This blog has a focus on legal and administrative concerns. There is a hefty dose of privacy related information posted on a regular basis, which is great as it is one of the fastest changing areas of technology. There is also a considerable amount of policy issues addressed, making it a great site for admin and staff.

Score:  Active 22, Original 21, Helpfulness 15, Authority 23
Total: 81

Twitter: @EDUCAUSEreview

  1. University Business

If you are in administration, this is a must follow blog to keep you informed and help you plan for the future. With multiple blogs posted daily, there is always something new for your to learn or consider.

Score:  Active 25, Original 17, Help 20, Authority 18.5
Total: 80.5

Twitter: @UniversityBusiness

  1. High Ed Webtech

For administrators and staff who manage their school’s tech, this site is invaluable. Regular posts cover the latest trends, how to do them right, and what to avoid.

Score:  Active 20, Original 23, Help 18.4, Authority 19
Total: 80.4

Twitter: @mrichwalsky

  1. Academic Computing

A new blog posts about every other month, but it well worth the wait. The focus is on coding in higher education and new technology. It also touches on topics that matter to professors and students who would like to keep up with the way colleges are teaching computer basics and coding.

Score:  Active 10, Original 25, Help 20, Authority 25
Total: 80

Twitter: @neilccbrown

  1. Will Richardson

If you want a thought provoking blog that takes on random subjects, this one does not disappoint. While other blogs tend to repeat each other, this one is utterly unique and enjoyable when you want to cogitate about something different.

Score:  Active 22, Original 25, Help 17, Authority 15.5
Total: 79.5

Twitter: @WillRich45

  1. Academic Tech Tips

This blog takes a look at the newest tools and trends that professors and administrators can use in schools. It also provides some help on common tools and how to get the most out of them.

Score:  Active 23, Original 19, Help 20, Authority 17
Total: 79

Email: [email protected]

  1. UnCollege

This is a blog aimed at a very specific niche in higher education – student taking a year off of going to school. Since the point is to take a break, the blog gives you ideas and advice about how to make that year both productive and enjoyable so that you are ready to go back and finish your degree with enthusiasm.

Score:  Active 20, Original 25, Help 15, Authority 18.6
Total: 78.6

Twitter: @UnCollege

  1. Udacity

The primary focus is on data and technology, but there is also a heavy emphasis in how they change higher education. It is an interesting blog to track for those who are interested in technology or who want to see where edtech could take higher education in a few years.

Score:  Active 19, Original 21, Help 18.3, Authority 20
Total: 78.3

Twitter: @Udacity

  1. The College Puzzle

Geared more towards students, this blog focuses on how to adapt and thrive in college. They post regularly, making it a site to bookmark for regular perusal.

Score:  Active 25, Original 19, Help 18, Authority 16
Total: 78

Twitter: @Michael_Kirst

  1. The Theory Blog

This blog looks at some of the most entrenched ideas in higher education and questions them. It is thought provoking, even if you do not always agree, making it well worth a monthly check for updates.

Score:  Active 15, Original 25, Help 18.5, Authority 19
Total: 77.5

Twitter: @BonStewart

  1. On Campus

Covering the latest information on campus, this blog is a treasure trove of the latest news, trends, and statistics. It is a great resource for students, professors, and staff, and gives you a way to connect with others to get more information.

Score:  Active 22, Original 16, Help 22, Authority 17
Total: 77

Twitter: @OnCampusWGBH

  1. e-Literate

For the latest in initiatives, news, edtech, and other concerns in higher education, this is a great blog to visit often. With daily posts, there is a wealth of information on this site. When you have some extra time, dig into the archives for some additional learning.

Score:  Active 22, Original 18, Help 19, Authority 17.5
Total: 76.5

Twitter: @mfeldstein67

  1. Campus Overload

This is the site to bookmark if you want to stay current on any news that is either related to higher education or that can have a serious effect on the field. Many of the issues posted are related to activism and concerns on campuses across the country.

Score:  Active 24, Original 15, Help 22, Authority 15
Total: 76

Email:  [email protected]

  1. Logorrhea

As the name suggests, this is a blog that tends to go all over the place, hitting both high profile and more obscure topics in higher education. There is a lot of advice in that can help you keep things in perspective through some of the most difficult situations.

Score:  Active 17, Original 23, Help 18, Authority 17.5
Total: 75.5

Twitter: @DavidJHinson

  1. HEDDA

HEDDA stands of the Higher Education Development Association, and their focus is on helping instructors and administrators. With postings about once a week, they provide details on events and news that can help you plan for future conferences or take lessons learned from recent academic events.

Score:  Active 23, Original 16, Help 18, Authority 19
Total: 75

Twitter: @HEDDAhighere

  1. Blog High Ed

Blog High Ed pulls blogs on higher education and puts them in a single space. The topics cover the gamut of what you need to know in higher education, from Google Analytics and teaching in the classroom to graduation to the latest news. Anyone attending, teaching, or attached to a college or university should bookmark the site and check back regularly for new information.

Score:  Active 25, Original 10, Help 20, Authority 18.5
Total: 73.5

Twitter: @mherzber

Email: [email protected]

  1. Higher Ed Live

The weekly posts to this blog cover the entire higher education gamut. From how to relate to students to dealing with social media to helping get parents engaged, this site has something for everyone who works in academia. They also offer a “Best of” list at the end of the year to help you sift through the wealth of blogs for the highlights.

Score:  Active 19, Original 20, Help 18, Authority 16
Total: 73

Twitter: @HigherEDLive

  1. Student Affairs & Technology Leadership

Take a look at higher education through the eyes of Joe Sabado. His blogs cover many of the challenges he has faced and experiences that have enriched him on his road to becoming the CIO of Student Affairs in Santa Barbara, CA. It is well worth the read if you aspire to become a higher education administrator, or simply want to improve in areas like public speaking and communicating across different departments.

Score:  Active 15, Original 21, Help 19, Authority 17
Total: 72

Twitter: @JoeSabado

  1. Campus Grotto

A great blog for students and educators, this site provides a lot of information on pretty much anything related to higher education. It is geared more towards those who are new to the arena, but it can give you some great insight no matter how long you have been in academia.

Score:  Active 19, Original 20, Help 20, Authority 15
Total: 70

Twitter: @CampusGrotto

Email form:  http://campusgrotto.com/contact-us

  1. Totally Rewired

The tagline for the site says it all – “…education, technology and random stuff.” The site is a great source of information about higher education, and a bit of random news and trending topics to keep you entertained as well as informed.

Score:  Active 12, Original 22, Help 18, Authority 16
Total: 68

Twitter: @Chri5Rowell

  1. Higher Ed Management

With a focus on those in the management of higher education, this blog is a great read even if you are not in management. It can give you advice if you are a higher education leader, or it can let you see how to better work with the administration at your school.

Score:  Active 10, Original 18, Help 16, Authority 20
Total: 64

Twitter: @HigheredMgmt

Conclusion

Whether you are a student, staff, faculty, or administrative, it can be incredibly difficult to stay current on the latest news and trends. By keeping track of a few of your favorite blogs, you can at least take research off of your to-do list.

 

 

 

 

 

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Matthew Lynch published in HBCU's, Higher Education

What makes a good teacher?

John Croucher

Do you have a good university lecturer? What makes them good? Is it because they make their classes relevant? Are their lectures interesting or challenging?

Or maybe they’re just fun to be around?

Good quality teaching can be hard to define and there is no single way of measuring it. But all students, throughout their education, experience the highs and lows of teaching ability.

In my own case, my love of some subjects was destroyed by incompetent, boring and, at times, uncaring teachers. But others helped me develop a passion for a subject that I never thought I would be interested in. My good teachers were the most creative and served as role models. They mentored their class on a journey of lifelong learning.

In my own experience as both a teacher and a student, I’ve found there are some key skills that good quality teachers have in common. You need to be creative, enthusiastic, be clear and keep the information relevant. Those tired lecturers, who never vary from the same worn lecture notes or PowerPoint slides year after year until they reach retirement, do a great disservice to themselves, the students and their profession.

But is good (or bad) teaching something you can measure?

My field is statistics and the students I teach are, in the main, doing an MBA and have an average age of about 30, along with generally being in middle to high management positions. They do not want simply to be entertained, but actually want to learn something of substance that can be applied in the “real world”. Otherwise they see a course as a waste of their time and money.

Students surveys can be an imperfect indicator. But these mature students can distinguish a “quality” teacher from a “popular” one, who might present an easy course that can be passed with little effort. In this sense these students’ judgements generally coincide with what academic colleagues think about the teacher as well.

I undertook a five year study of these surveys that included an overall rating of the teacher, along with questions regarding the teacher’s knowledge, the class dynamics, the teacher’s preparedness, organisational skills, enthusiasm for the subject and teaching, availability outside class time and a number of other factors.

Although these responses all correlated to varying degrees with the overall rating given to the teacher, there was one question that was consistently most highly associated across all subjects areas over all the years.

This was the one that asked whether the teacher was able to explain the course material clearly. There were a number of instances where a teacher was rated enthusiastic, knowledgeable and well-prepared, but still was considered a poor teacher overall.

The conclusion from this study was that if you cannot explain the concepts in a way that the audience can understand, it doesn’t matter what else you do. In this case, they will not enjoy the experience but leave frustrated.

Whenever I introduce a new topic, particularly if it is complex, into the lecture room, I am fully aware that although I have been familiar with it for many years, it is the first time that most of them will have heard it. And during my explanation I think to myself, “if I had been hearing this for the first time, would I have understood what I just said?”.

Sometimes the answer is no, and so I then go through it again in a slightly different way. I need to be satisfied that at least the majority of students have understood the principles and, of course, I always encourage questions at any time.

Whether a teacher has been effective or not naturally depends on just what the student has learned from the experience. A teacher might rate well immediately after a course is completed, but several years down the track when the student looks back they may find what they learned of little value or relevance.

This often means that they have retained next to nothing not long after the final exam, did not develop a passion to explore the field further or find any use for it in later life. To me that is a great shame.

Although students may not always remember what you teach them, they will always remember their outstanding lecturers and how good they made them feel about the subject. That is their greatest gift and the mark of a good teacher.

This piece is appearing as part of a series on Choosing a University. Read more pieces in the series here. This topic will also be discussed on #TalkAboutIt on ABC News 24, iview and abc.net.au

The Conversation

John Croucher, Professor of Statistics at Macquarie Graduate School of Management

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

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