When I create assignment prompts, my instructions explain both the what and the why. I include a brief statement explaining the value the assignment offers. My rationales consistently cite skills (sometimes intellectual virtues) that are valuable for any career: reading skills, analytical thinking, creative problem solving, and the like. Skill development isn’t passive. Despite students’ […] The post Designing for the struggle first appeared on Blog of the APA.| Blog of the APA
College courses, unlike most high school courses, require students to engage in a good deal of independent learning. What they do outside of class is essential to their learning, and it requires both motivation and time management, as well as an understanding of academic skills and resources available to them as students. In high school,…| Blog of the APA
In my philosophy courses, I largely give take-home writing assignments. These are either focused on the course readings (no research required beyond the syllabus) or not (so they require students to do outside reading). Usually, I have 5-7 of the former (1,000-1,500 words) and 1-or-2 research papers (2,000-2,500 words if it is one long paper,…| Blog of the APA
One way to teach Medical Ethics courses is to start with theory and then work through a series of pro/con pieces on abortion, euthanasia, using non-human animals in research, organ markets, etc. It’s a standard approach and for good reason: it introduces students to the moral aspects of these debates and helps them critically assess…| Blog of the APA
Even though I have taught my courses several times, I find that I am always excited to begin each new semester and to better understand the mysterious interplay between teacher and student. It’s critical to understand this teaching as an act of service. Understanding this in the abstract is one thing, but truly appreciating this…| Blog of the APA