COMP 915 PLAN (TENTATIVE)
Fall, 2009		Technical Communication in Computer Science: Teaching,  Speaking
Fred Brooks, Steve Weiss

Course Plan

Aug 	28	 1.	Elementary public speaking ;  Why Should You Get a Ph.D.?       		B

Sept.	4	 3.	Teaching methods: discussion, case method, seminar		W
Sept.	11	 2.	Learning styles		W, 	Hedlund
Sept.	18	 4.	Methods: lecture, Socratic, recitation, exercise			B
Sept.	25	 5.	Course planning:  designing a syllabus			W

Oct.	2	 6.	Course planning:  outline and schedule			W 
Oct. 	9	 7.	Textbook selection			B
Oct.	16	 8.	Quizzes and examinations;  how to prepare for oral exams		B 
Oct.	23	 	Fall Break
Oct.	30	 9.	How to teach research, and finding thesis topics		B

Nov.	6	10. Large classes, and elementary programming			W 	
Nov.	13	11	Problems:  When and where to get help			W
Nov.	20	12. Motivation, grading, cheating			W
Nov.	27		Thanksgiving holiday

Dec.	4	13. The teacher as a professional:  economics, compensation, the academic		B	      		marketplace, publish or perish, time-budgeting, professional ethics

Text: 		McKeachie & Svinicki, Teaching Tips, Twelfth Edition, (2006), Houghton-Mifflin. 

Grading:	Based on class teaching, assignments, and participation.  No exam.
Broad curve.    Two free late assignments if turned in next class;  other lates are half credit.

Miscellaneous
•  Each student will prepare and give a 20-minute lesson on a topic of your choice.
	The 20 minutes is for your presentation.  Questions and discussion not included.
•  Each student will rehearse and critique a partner in his lesson preparation.
•  Most assignments will consist of a reading and a two-page essay..
•  Name and date on everything you give us.
•  Go buy your textbook quickly;  two other courses are also requiring the book.

The teacher's job is to design learning experiences, not to dispense information.