Ten Commandments of Teaching and Learning
(Compliments of Sudhir Mehta, associate vice president of academic affairs, North Dakota State University)
An instructor shall
1. Create a great learning environment in which all students feel motivated to learn.
2. Focus on maximizing learning of all students with varying learning styles and abilities.
3. Prepare well and explain objectives, subject matter, and assignments clearly.
4. Show application and relevance of course materials.
5. Use fair testing and grading procedures that promote or reward real-life values like honesty, positive attitude, creativity, collaboration, hard working nature and sincerity, rather than rote memorization.
6. Incorporate inquiry-based active learning rather than passive lecturing.
7. Use appropriate technology and provide quick feedback to students on their learning.
8. Incorporate methods that enhance students' communication, teamwork, critical thinking and self-learning skills.
9. Set high standards and provide excellent support.
10. Respect all students, care for their learning, and be available to them.
A student shall
1. Take charges of his or her own learning, of course, with support from peers and instructors.
2. Come prepared to classes by doing assignments and reading new materials.
3. Attend all classes, and actively participate in classroom activities.
4. Help/teach fellow students.
5. Understand that the instructor's teaching style needs to cater to all students, and may not match your learning style all the time.
6. Meet with the instructor or write e-mail ASAP when faced with any difficulty.
7. Read book(s)/other articles for broader and deeper understanding.
8. Connect new knowledge with your past experiences.
9. Think of application and relevance for the new knowledge and write your reflections.
10. Have fun learning new things and helping other students.