"What should a beginning teacher know and be able to do? What should an experienced teacher know and be able to do?" "The decision about what content to include in The Act of Teaching was based on the answers to these questions. In developing this practical guide to effective teaching, the authors were guided by work done at the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to determine what a competent beginning teacher should know; and work done by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards to determine what an experienced teacher should know."--book jacket.

pt. 1. The backdrop of teaching -- Factors that influence how we teach -- The challenge of teaching in a changing society -- Teaching diverse students -- Three schools of thought about learning and teaching -- Getting to know your students and motivating them to learn -- pt. 2. The act of teaching -- Planning instruction -- Four instructional alternatives : presentation, discussion, independent study, and individualized instruction -- Four more instructional alternatives : cooperative learning, discovery learning, constructivism, and direct instruction -- Evaluating students' learning -- pt. 3. The effective teacher -- Personal attributes and characteristics of effective teachers -- Professional skills and abilities of effective teachers -- Classroom management skills of effective teachers -- Problem-solving skills of effective teachers -- Reflective skills of effective teachers.