Research Conference for Undergraduates

To encourage and train our students to do research professionally, some national or international research conferences for undergraduates could be very helpful. So far, I find some resources collected here for future reference:

• Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR): http://www.cur.org
• International Conference of Undergraduate Research (ICUR): http://www.icurportal.com
• Sigma Xi Student Research Conference: https://www.sigmaxi.org
• Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS): http://www.abrcms.org

Twelve Characteristics of an Effective Teacher

There are some good points from:
http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ815372.pdf

Characteristic 1: Prepared
The most effective teachers come to class each day ready to teach.
1. It is easy to learn in their classes because they are ready for the day.
2. They don’t waste instructional time. They start class on time. They teach for the entire class period.
3. Time flies in their classes because students are engaged in learning — i.e., not bored, less likely to fall asleep.

Characteristic 2: Positive
The most effective teachers have optimistic attitudes about teaching and about students. They
1. See the glass as half full (look on the positive side of every situation)
2. Make themselves available to students
3. Communicate with students about their progress
4. Give praise and recognition
5. Have strategies to help students act positively toward one another

Characteristic 3: Hold High Expectations
The most effective teachers set no limits on students and believe everyone can be successful. They
1. Hold the highest standards
2. Consistently challenge their students to do their best
3. Build students’ confidence and teach them to believe in themselves

Characteristic 4: Creative
The most effective teachers are resourceful and inventive in how they teach their classes. They
1. Kiss a pig if the class reaches its academic goals
2. Wear a clown suit
3. Agree to participate in the school talent show
4. Use technology effectively in the classroom

Characteristic 5: Fair
The most effective teachers handle students and grading fairly. They
1. Allow all students equal opportunities and privileges
2. Provide clear requirements for the class
3. Recognize that “fair” doesn’t necessarily mean treating everyone the same but means giving every student an opportunity to succeed
4. Understand that not all students learn in the same way and at the same rate

Characteristic 6: Display a Personal Touch
The most effective teachers are approachable. They
1. Connect with students personally
2. Share personal experiences with their classes
3. Take personal interest in students and find out as much as possible
about them
4. Visit the students’ world (sit with them in the cafeteria; attend
sporting events, plays, and other events outside normal school hours)

Characteristic 7: Cultivate a Sense of Belonging
The most effective teachers have a way of making students feel welcome and comfortable in their classrooms.
1. Students repeatedly mentioned that they felt as though they belonged in classrooms taught by effective teachers.
2. The students knew they had a good teacher who loved teaching and preferred it to other occupations.

Characteristic 8: Compassionate
The most effective teachers are concerned about students’ personal problems and can relate to them and their problems. Numerous stories established how the sensitivity and compassion of caring teachers affected them in profound and lasting ways.

Characteristic 9: Have a Sense of Humor
The most effective teachers do not take everything seriously and make learning fun. They
1. Use humor to break the ice in difficult situations
2. Bring humor into the everyday classroom
3. Laugh with the class (but not at the expense of any particular
student)

Characteristic 10: Respect Students
The most effective teachers do not deliberately embarrass students. Teachers who give the highest respect, get the highest respect. They
1. Respect students’ privacy when returning test papers
2. Speak to students in private concerning grades or conduct
3. Show sensitivity to feelings and consistently avoid situations that unnecessarily embarrass students

Characteristic 11: Forgiving
The most effective teachers do not hold grudges. They
1. Forgive students for inappropriate behavior
2. Habitually start each day with a clean slate
3. Understand that a forgiving attitude is essential to reaching difficult students
4. Understand that disruptive or antisocial behavior can quickly turn a teacher against a student, but that refusing to give up on difficult students can produce success

Characteristic 12: Admit Mistakes
The most effective teachers are quick to admit being wrong. They
1. Apologize to mistakenly accused students
2. Make adjustments when students point out errors in grading or test material that has not been assigned