[.ca] Ask the Teacher: A Practitioner's Guide to Teaching and ... (ISBN 0205370764)

Good Idea, Poorly Implemented:
Out of the textbooks for my six classes at National I have taken so far, this one has been the most disappointing. The book usually takes one view and explains how this practice is the best way to do it. I expect a more nuanced approach for a graduate level book. Footnoting with studies supporting each view would have added a lot to the credibility of the book. For the views advocated, which come across as facts, there is no backing up of why this view is correct. The book lost a lot of credibility with me when it had all the positives on bilingual education, but none of the negatives. The book does not mention proposition 227. Proposition 227 passed with a huge majority, even though being outspent 5 to 1, and resulted in the dismantling of most bilingual education programs in the public school system in CA due to frustration in the general population with the perceived results. My opinion, is bilingual education was in most school systems poorly implemented and the powers that backed it would not make any modifications, that resulted in a huge backlash. Another not so controversial example. Title of section. Teachers Should Distribute Lecture Notes. Book is in a Q and A format. Question is basically, Why don't teachers give a copy of their lectures notes. Answer is four paragraphs long and is yes they should. There are no references to any studies on this thesis. No way I can further research this to see if this is true for all types of learners (visual, audio, etc.), for certain subject, ages, etc. Bottom line. If you don't mind a highly opinionated book on best practices for a teacher, buy this. It really should be retitled "opinions on best practice for Teaching And Learning" If you want a book that backs up the opinions of the writer with case studies, or one that examines both sides of an opinion, look for another book.

Buy it only if you ned to:
I had to buy this book for National University's online course. I really like national University and wish they would have chosen another textbook. I was not impressed with the information inside. Ryan does a question and answer format that briefly synopsis very important topics in education. Sometimes when I read a topic, I am really disappointed that a topic that has had a great deal of reseacrh is presented by Ryan in a half page. He wholeheartedly attempts to sell the reader on bilingual education which I disagree. There are other topics that he discusses with what I feel is a liberal point of view. The main point that I was taken back by is the fact that Ryan's end-of-chapter bibliographies include research that is sometimes dated. His sources are sometime 6-8 years old or older.

Buy it if you have to:
I had to use this book for a class at National University. What a coincidence it was written by a professor at NU! ... The book is biased and doesn't go in depth into anything. Most of us in my class figured we had to buy this book to line Ryan's pockets, none of us really cared for it much...

Ask the Teacher is Wonderful!:
Here are some excerpts of recent book reviews about Ask the Teacher - a book I will keep as a resource throughout my teaching career: ... fills a need for a manual of teaching tips, based on a combination of current educational research and years of experience.... John Luster, M.A., Educational Consultant, California State Department of Education ... borders on the edge of genius. ...an understandable description of how teaching should be done. Roger Axford, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Arizona State University ... fills a void and captures the imagination of those of us who are involved in improving instruction and learning.... Thomas MacCalla, Ed.D., Vice President, Multicultural Affairs, National University and Jacqueline Caesar, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Arts and Sciences, National University. ... what an absolutely innovative idea! ... articulates in clear, lucid language his thoughtful and dialogic responses.... Engages you to consider the theoretical within its practical relevant applications in the cognitive process. Idrenne Lim-Alparaque, Ph.D., San Diego State University ... promotes critical thinking, a love for the teaching profession, and the type of enthusiasm and idealism that is needed in order to make a difference in the lives of the children that we have in our classrooms. Professor Luz M. Salazar, M.A., Program Coordinator, California Teachers Association Rather than lose its reader in detail and "ivory tower" language, Ask the Teacher offers a format of brilliant simplicity that teachers find easy-to-read and understand. This is a book for every teacher's classroom desk. James Mitchell, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, California State University, Dominguez Hills ... truly a practical practitioner's guide to teaching and learning in the diverse classroom. ... addresses major educational foundations beginning with the celebration of ethnic diversity in our schools. James Mbuva, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, National University ... a wonderful resource, integrating the "best practices" and current educational research in an "easy to understand" format. Maxine Stewart-Carlson, M.S., Adjunct Faculty, School of Education, National University ... a "hands on" manual, which is applicable to any academic grade level as well as serving as a useful educational tool to any teacher. Lauren Birney Ed.D., Science Department Chairperson, Hoover High School, San Diego City Schools It is an amazing work that covers virtually every relevant question and educator might have. Celia Kelly, M.A., Adjunct Online Faculty, School of Education, National University ... assists in bringing the new teacher candidate to the realization that there are academic and researched relevantly solutions to the challenges faced in this wonderful profession of teaching. James L. Hutcherson, M.A., Teacher, Bonsall Union School District ... most certainly a book by a practitioner for practitioners and as such it is a valuable addition to any teacher's library. Jacquelyn Spacek, Ed.D., Associate Regional Dean, San Jose, National University Every future teacher needs to be armed with theory, compassion, and idealism. The book manages to convey all of that. Lana Sherman, M.A., San Diego Unified School District ... "user friendly"...addressed key issues in education that all students entering the teaching profession should know.... Mary Anne Weegar, M.A., Sweetwater Union High School District ... highly informative on teaching in the diverse classroom.... Katie Klinger, Ed.D., Assistant Professor, School of Education, National University ... practical and succinct in addressing a multitude of topics on teaching and learning. Barbara Salice, Ed.D., Associate Faculty, School of Education, National University ... very readable and stimulating.... ... a superb teaching tool.... Ralph L. Kimo Sanchez Jr., M.A., Core Adjunct Faculty, School of Education, National University ... key component to engaging students in a very stimulating interactive course. ... affording students a keen insight into today's educational issues. Thomas J Syage, M.A., Ocean Beach Elementary School, San Diego ... informative and articulate answers to questions about most areas of education.... Carolyn H. Brannon, M.A., Adjunct Faculty, School of Education, National University ... covers tremendous ground.... Full of teaching tips, hints, and discussions of current educational topics. Lance Larson, M.A., Hoover High School, San Diego As a veteran teacher and teacher-of-teachers, I have referred to pertinent questions and answers to share with my university students, parents of my classroom students and colleagues. Eloise M. Cole, M.A., Ocean Beach Elementary School, San Diego I finally found a source that has put in writing what I have been teaching my students in the classroom about teaching and learning. The Question-Answer format is stimulating and begs to be read. Jack L. Housden, Ed.D., Core Adjunct Faculty, National University ... full of useful information that new teachers should have at their fingertips. It is easy to read, the format is such that you can easily access answers to your questions. In thirty- one years of teaching I have not read another better. Carol Matthews, M.A., Core Adjunct Faculty, National University