Lecture 4: Designing homework and exam problems

See the complete course at: ocw.mit.edu/5-95js09

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1. General Principles of Teaching
2. Teaching Equations
3. Taking account of misconceptions; avoiding rote learning
4. Designing homework and exam problems
5. Course design
6. Teaching interactively in large and small groups
7. Lecture planning and performing
8. Teaching with blackboards and slides
9. Political barriers to educational change
10. Course summary and your questions

This MIT course is from Spring 2009. The description below is about the verson Spring 2006 of this course. The four video lectures of this seminar, under the original name of 5.95J Teaching College-Level Science, focus on the knowledge and skills necessary for teaching science and engineering in higher education. Topics include: using current research in student learning to improve teaching; developing courses; lecturing; promoting students' ability to think critically and solve problems; communicating with a diverse student body; using educational technology; creating effective assignments and tests; and utilizing feedback to improve instruction. Students research and teach a topic of particular interest. This subject is appropriate for both novices and those with teaching experience.

Assignments
There are five in-class exercises and five homework assignments.

In-class Exercises
1. What Will Teaching and Learning Look Like in the 21st Century? (PDF)
2. How Research into Learning Can Inform Teaching (form to complete) (PDF)
How Research into Learning Can Inform Teaching (completed form) (PDF)
3. Strategic Teaching (PDF)
4. Creating a Syllabus (PDF)
5. Writing Multiple Choice Questions (PDF)

Homework Assignments
1. List your Goals for this Course (PDF)
2. Write a Teaching Philosophy Statement (PDF)
3. Analyze a Class in your Discipline (PDF)
4. Develop and Teach a Topic in Class (PDF)
5. Revisit your Goals for this Course and your Teaching Philosophy Statement (PDF)

Readings List

Lecture Notes