Product Description

This bestselling book is a unique introduction to the practice of university teaching and its underlying theory. This new edition has been fully revised and updated in view of the extensive changes which have taken place in higher education.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #68067 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

From the Author
My book is one of the world’s most popular texts on university teaching. Search on Google to read people’s reactions to it and to see how much they recommend it.

Such a lot has changed in UK higher education since the book came out in 1992 that a second edition was needed. Here it is, with additional case studies, updated research evidence, and suggestions for further reading. There are fully revised chapters on quality, teaching methods, evaluation and academic development. I have added material on managing and rewarding good teaching as well. I hope you enjoy reading it.

From the Back Cover
This book addresses the problem of how best to evaluate and improve the standard of teaching in higher education in a,--- climate of accountability and appraisal. Linking educational theory with the practical realities of teaching, Paul Ramsden argues that becoming an effective teacher in higher education involves listening to students and changing how we think about teaching.

About the Author
Paul Ramsden has been Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) at the University of Sydney since 1999. His career has combined a distinguished academic record as an international authority on university teaching and learning with successful experience in higher education management and leadership. His publications and research have had a worldwide impact on the management of university teaching quality and on training programmes for higher education teachers. His bestselling Learning to Teach in Higher Education, first published in 1992 and revised in 2003, is one of the classic texts on university teaching. He is also the author of Learning to Lead in Higher Education, a practical, evidence-based guide to effective academic leadership in faculties and departments.

Customer Reviews

A useful challenge for university teachers
Ramsden's book is written for both new and more experienced teachers of higher education. His main message is that we (the teachers) must organise the education so that students' learning is made possible. This might seem an obvious statement, but in practice it is not always so.

Ramsden provides a theory of teaching that I have found easy to grasp, useful for my own teaching and a real challenge. "Easy to grasp" does not mean that it is always easy to put into practice. Thinking in new ways about what you do isn't easy.

Read this book with a collegue and get to work! I have found it worthwile and the students have not complained - so far.

Informative guide to University Teaching
The first time I read part of it in a hurry as part of a course I am taking . When I first read it I felt that it presented a rather cynical view of University teaching. Now that I have read it cover to cover and had more time to digest it I can see its impact and potential.

The three theories/models that he presents are essential for understanding university teaching and how it relates to students. He takes a very theoretical approach that aims to find the ideas that should underpin education rather than looking only at practice and providing a guide to teaching techniques. He is correct that a techniques book does not allow you to understand the subjectivity of teaching. Each group will be different and as learning technologies change teaching has to change as well. He is trying to get readers to engage in a deep understanding of teaching and learning and not an imitative form.

My one criticism is that he does not refer very much to the literature on reflective practice in education and I think this could have added to his thesis.