An Evidence-based Guide to College and University Teaching: Developing the Model Teacher

An Evidence-based Guide to College and University Teaching outlines a definition of "model teaching" based on research evidence and accepted best practices in high education.

Teachers at all levels of skill and experience can benefit from clear, objective guidelines for defining and measuring quality teaching. To fulfil this need, this book outlines six fundamental areas of teaching competency―model teaching characteristics―and provides detailed definitions of each characteristic. The authors define these essential characteristics as training, course content, the assessment process, instructional methods, syllabus construction, and the use of student evaluations. This guide outlines through research and supplemental evidence how each characteristic can be used toward tenure, promotion, teaching portfolios, and general professional development. Additional features include a self-assessment tool that corresponds to the model teaching characteristics, case studies illustrating common teaching problems, and lists of "must reads" about college teaching.

An Evidence-based Guide to College and University Teaching describes how college faculty from all disciplines and at all levels of their career – from graduate students to late-career faculty – can use the model teaching characteristics to evaluate, guide, and improve their teaching. The book is additionally useful for teachers, trainers, and administrators responsible for promoting excellence in college teaching.

Aaron S. Richmond is a Professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana, Western and is doctorate at the University of Nevada, Reno. He is an award-winning teacher and scholar who loves learning with, and teaching his students.

Guy A. Boysen is a Professor of Psychology at McKendree University. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota and his PhD from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. His scholarship emphasizes the teaching of psychology, professional development of teachers, and stigma toward mental illness.

Regan A. R. Gurung is the Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Oregon State University and Professor of Psychological Science. He earned his BS from Carleton College (Northfield, MN), and his PhD from the University of Washington (Seattle, WA). After a postdoc at UCLA, he spent 20 years at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay before moving to OSU.