Macdonald Campus Award for Teaching Excellence

Laurie Baker

Department of Agricultural Economics

1) To generate enthusiasm in all students for the subject that you are teaching by showing your own enthusiasm for the subject. Obviously, students enrolled in courses within their own subject field tend to have a basic level of interest in the subject. However, students who have to take courses outside of their own discipline are sometimes a "hard sell" and need to be convinced of the importance of your subject.

2) It is important to listen carefully to student questions and responses to questions, both in terms of "what" is said and "how" it is said. Eye contact should be maintained with all students but especially with those who have asked a question or are responding to your question. Being a good listener and observer will help a great deal in determining if your message is getting through in the way in which you intended.