First, we suggest starting off with a read of Section 1.0. Seriously. This will help you understand the philosophy behind the work and the themes which run throughout.
The online resource has a directory concept and a table of contents. These can be used to jump around. We are working on a search. It should appear in 2023.
The directory is at the top of every page and can be shown or hidden. There are prev and next links on each page within a section, top and bottom of the page.
On the directory page, there are a number of themes grouped together for quick reference and diving. Over time, we will add more, based on suggestions. For example, we have recommended readings if you are coming to the site because you have been told or if you think your course sucks.
Most of the pages have links and other references. We will continue to working on the 'Further Reading...' sections and new pages seem to keep being suggested. The further reading is not meant to be exhaustive, but as a jumping off place into the topic.
Please feel free to join the effort and contact us if you have suggestions. The best email to use is kmckay at uwaterloo dot ca.
There are eighteen sections, grouped by theme or common intent. We have tried to keep many of our personal opinions contained and these are found in Section 2.0 which is more of an op-ed section. The views found in Section 2.0 can be considered as being those of K. McKay and C. Hulls if you do not like them, and of the whole team if you do.
We have tried to take a holistic view to the matter of teaching and deal with strategic, tactical, and operational aspect. We have taken a global view that teaching is a profession, with the expectation of professionalism, responsibility, and accountability.
Depending on your context and what you have been thrown into, you might to skim through all of the sections, looking at the titles. If you have the time, you can look at
If you are here to explore the general topic of teaching in the classroom, you can look at Sections 12.0-15.0 (Boom's, Teaching Cognitive Skills, General Teaching Concepts, and Specific Methods).
If you are here to understand more about the career and the bigger picture, Sections 3.0-6.0 are suggested (Instructor, Career Topics, Student/Instructor Interactions, and Student Learning).
If your major concern is course design, look at Sections 7.0-11.0 (Course Design - The Big Topics, Key Decisions, Other Nuances, Course Evolution, and Tools for Evolution).
Sections 17.0 and 18.0 deal with some of the non-teaching aspects of the job and focus on mental health, barriers, and such.
You might be here to browse and see what we have to say about various methods based on our experiences and insights. You can look at Sections 12.0-16.0
If your major concern is course design, look at Sections 7.0-11.0 (Course Design - The Big Topics, Key Decisions, Other Nuances, Course Evolution, and Tools for Evolution).
Sections 17.0 and 18.0 deal with some of the non-teaching aspects of the job and focus on mental health, barriers, and such.