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An Essay on the Art and Science of Teaching

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  • Dennis L. Weisman

Abstract

The primary purpose of this essay is to identify instructional practices that can serve to enhance teaching effectiveness. There is both an art and a science dimension to effective teaching. The science dimension entails a comprehensive knowledge of the discipline, both historical foundations and research on the frontiers. The art dimension, which is likely to be the more elusive of the two, involves presenting complex material to students in terms that are readily understandable. Organized around twelve principles, this essay delineates various techniques that may be employed to enhance overall teaching effectiveness, even among those individuals who may not be “natural teachers.†Selected lessons from Charles Franklin Kettering, one of America's most prolific inventors, are integrated throughout the essay to bring these teaching principles to life. A secondary purpose of this essay is to offer a critical, albeit constructive, assessment of the teaching profession at the university level.

Suggested Citation

  • Dennis L. Weisman, 2012. "An Essay on the Art and Science of Teaching," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 57(1), pages 111-125, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:amerec:v:57:y:2012:i:1:p:111-125
    DOI: 10.1177/056943451205700109
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Elchanan Cohn & Sharon Cohn & Donald C. Balch & James Bradley, 2001. "Do Graphs Promote Learning in Principles of Economics?," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(4), pages 299-310, January.
    5. Paul Isely & Harinder Singh, 2005. "Do Higher Grades Lead to Favorable Student Evaluations?," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(1), pages 29-42, January.
    6. Babcock, Phillip & Marks, Mindy, 2010. "Leisure College, Usa," University of California at Santa Barbara, Economics Working Paper Series qt1zd0q0vn, Department of Economics, UC Santa Barbara.
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    Cited by:

    1. Weisman, Dennis L., 2017. "How to integrate economic analysis into classroom discussions of diversity?," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 8-14.

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