Spring 1995

Video Review: The 1995 "Teachies": Best of TRC Videos
Reviewed by Bill McAllister, Graduate Student Associate, TRC and Department of History

The TRC has accumulated over 100 titles in its video collection, covering all manner of teaching-related issues. In order to bring more attention to this storehouse of valuable material, it seemed to me about time to hand out a few (spurious) awards.

Like any self-appointed film critic, I employ selection standards that embody my own idiosyncratic criteria. I have placed a premium on tapes that offer practical advice to teaching assistants and faculty. Additionally, since not all our venues are acoustically flawless, special attention has been paid to audibility. Please note that I have made no attempt to be comprehensive: owing to space restrictions, many excellent titles did not make the list. In general, videos run a little over one hour.

Here then, ladies and gentlemen, are the first 1995 TEACHIE award winners!

THE "TERMINATOR" AWARD: Managing Your Time, Randy Pausch (January 1995 or August 1994).
Ruthless in his pursuit of wasted time, the protagonist shows you how to get the most bang out of every minute of your workday. Follow along as he blows away inefficiencies at the office, annihilates obstacles that interrupt research, and obliterates the minefield of hazards posed by professional relationships. When the day is over, you'll know how to say "Hasta la vista, baby!" to squandered hours at work, leaving you more time for real fun.

THE "TALKING HEADS" AWARD: Lecturing: Art and Skill, Ed Ayers and Ken Elzinga (February 1994).
If the thought of delivering lectures leaves you searching for enlightenment, then consider the gentle counsel offered here. Sit at the feet of two master teachers as they dispense pearls of wisdom designed to restore inner harmony. You will depart from their generous, kind, and wise presence refreshed in spirit, with renewed dedication to your commission: edifying the next generation.

THE "EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT TEACHING SCIENCE BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK" AWARD: Teaching Problem Solving Sections, Tom Bensky (August 1994).
This steamy offering will entice you with a variety of methods to spice up your science presentations. Topics include the joys of hands-on experience, getting the most out of your equipment, how grading can actually encourage better performance, overcoming embarrassment at making mistakes, and using props to stimulate enjoyment. Even discusses how to remember the names of your partners in learning. Numerous illustrations and live demonstrations will further kindle your desire to try something new. Why don't you come up and see it sometime?

THE "UPLIFT" AWARD: Full Spectrum Teaching, Victoria Voytko (January 1993).
You'll never look at your class THE SAME! The heart-rending story about one woman's discovery of the SPECIAL QUALITIES in each of her students. See how she designs a course of study to maximize everyone's LEARNING POTENTIAL! You'll be INSPIRED when you see that you can actually EDUCATE those people on the other side of the podium once you find out who they ARE!