Small Teaching, James M. Lang
Small Teaching, James M. Lang
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Small Teaching
Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning

Author: James M. Lang

Narrator: Daniel Thomas May

Unabridged: 7 hr 27 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 06/11/2019


Synopsis

Research into how we learn has opened the door for utilizing cognitive theory to facilitate better student learning. But that's easier said than done. Many books about cognitive theory introduce radical but impractical theories, failing to make the connection to the classroom. In Small Teaching, James Lang presents a strategy for improving student learning with a series of modest but powerful changes that make a big difference—many of which can be put into practice in a single class period. These strategies are designed to bridge the chasm between primary research and the classroom environment in a way that can be implemented by any faculty in any discipline, and even integrated into pre-existing teaching techniques. Learn, for example: How does one become good at retrieving knowledge from memory? How does making predictions now help us learn in the future? How do instructors instill fixed or growth mindsets in their students?

Each chapter introduces a basic concept in cognitive theory, explains when and how it should be employed, and provides firm examples of how the intervention has been or could be used in a variety of disciplines. Small teaching techniques include brief classroom or online learning activities, one-time interventions, and small modifications in course design or communication with students.

About James M. Lang

James M. Lang is director of the Center for Teaching Excellence at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts. He is the author of On Course: A Week-by-Week Guide to Your First Semester of College Teaching and Cheating Lessons: Learning from Academic Dishonesty, as well as a monthly column for the Chronicle of Higher Education.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Jeanne on August 05, 2018

Updated in August 2018 James Lang is a frequent contributor to Chronicle of Higher Educationwhere I've always enjoyed his essays. I've read several books on teaching in the past year; Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons From the Science of Learning was one of the meatiest and thought-provoking, a nice p......more

Goodreads review by Thomas on June 08, 2020

To the book's credit it's very readable. With such clearly-labled and bite-sized sections within equally bite-sized chapters it's definitely something one could easily pick up during a 15 minute break and skim and scan for ideas. If only it had ideas... While you should never judge a book by it's co......more

Goodreads review by Christina on September 30, 2017

Treasure trove of great teaching ideas.......more

Goodreads review by Lee on December 24, 2024

A solid meditation on certain aspects of good teaching practices. I am avoiding admonishing the book for offering “nothing new”; instead I found his ideas providing me opportunities to reflect on my own teaching practices and often stopped to consider how I already build his suggestions in my classr......more

Goodreads review by Dan on March 05, 2019

I have read much by James Lang in the Chronicle of Higher Education and was interested to see that he had a volume out on teaching strategies for classroom professors based on current science of learning. Overall, this small volume on "Small Teaching" succeeds on many levels and would make an excell......more