Taking a well-known set of guidelines for effectively rehabilitating criminal offenders, we present a unique twist on how to create an effective classroom environment. Based on our 30 years of collective experience, as well as the extant pedagogical research, we outline eight principles of effective classroom teaching. Being a successful college professor requires a range of skills and talents ranging from fostering an open classroom environment based on reinforcement to addressing the various characteristics and abilities students bring to the classroom to assessing appropriate learning outcomes. In essence, an effective classroom teacher must be a “jack of all trades.” Whether a first-time instructor in front of a classroom or a seasoned professor, these eight principles provide a simple framework to enhance the impact you have in the classroom and in the overall academic careers of your students.
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