TeachECONference 2024 kicked off with panel titled “Teaching the Teachers in Higher Education” featuring four distinguished panelists. The panelists explored how to improve teaching practices in economics and beyond, sharing insights from their diverse experiences. 

Understanding Effective Teaching 

The panel kicked off with an engaging discussion on the essentials of effective teaching. The panelists agreed that active learning—where students actively participate in the learning process—is far more effective than passive listening. They highlighted the need for educators to create environments where students are encouraged to engage with concepts through problem-solving and group activities. Dimitra Petropoulou from the London School of Economics emphasized the importance of setting clear expectations from the outset. She also shared how LSE has successfully transformed teaching quality by focusing on training PhD students who teach, thereby improving teaching evaluations across the board. 

Overcoming Challenges in Adopting New Techniques 

Michael Enz, the Director of Professional Development at Virginia Tech’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, addressed the challenges faculty face when adopting new teaching techniques. Enz explained that many educators are hesitant to deviate from traditional lecture-based methods, even when evidence suggests that more interactive approaches are beneficial. “It’s important to help the lecturer to think through this, to think about which comments to ignore and which ones resonate with their own perception of what has happened,” Enz advised. His center provides support through programs like a semester-long certificate in effective teaching and course design clinics, which are designed to help faculty transition to more engaging teaching methods. 

Support Systems for Faculty 

Ralf Becker from the University of Manchester discussed the value of integrating student feedback into teaching practices. He emphasized that educators should view students as partners in the learning process. Becker shared that Manchester’s approach includes training lecturers to interpret and act on feedback, which has led to continuous improvements in teaching quality.  

Addressing Equity and Inclusion 

Anoshua Chaudhuri from San Francisco State University brought the discussion to the critical topic of equity and inclusion in education. She highlighted the importance of addressing equity gaps to improve outcomes for all students, particularly those from underrepresented groups. She shared how San Francisco State University has made significant strides in reducing failure rates by focusing on inclusive teaching practices and creating communities of practice. She also discussed the importance of formative feedback and peer evaluations in fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. 

Incentives and Recognition 

The panel concluded by discussing the importance of incentives and recognition in encouraging faculty to improve their teaching practices. The panelists agreed that rewarding and acknowledging efforts to enhance teaching is crucial to creating a culture of continuous improvement. By offering incentives such as teaching awards, grants for educational research, and public recognition, institutions can motivate more faculty members to engage in professional development and innovative teaching practices. 

Key Takeaways 

• Active Learning: Engaging students in problem-solving and collaborative activities enhances learning. 

• Support and Training: Providing ongoing support and training for educators is crucial for improving teaching practices. 

• Reflective Practice: Encouraging educators to reflect on their teaching and student feedback helps identify areas for improvement. 

• Community Building: Creating a community of practice fosters collaboration and sharing of best practices among educators. 

• Equity and Inclusion: Addressing the diverse needs of students and promoting inclusive teaching practices leads to better outcomes for all. 

This blog was produced with the help of Microsoft Copilot.