Teaching Materials

"The Torch or The Firehose"

"The Torch or the Firehose: A Guide for Section Teaching" (2nd edition), written by Arthur P. Mattuck, Professor of Mathematics, is a guide to recitation teaching at MIT. With good humor and sound advice, Professor Mattuck offers both novice and seasoned recitation instructors guidelines on how sections can best serve as a complement to lectures, how to help students become better learners, and how to enjoy your experience in the classroom.

• If you are a member of the MIT community, a printed copy of this booklet is avilable to you free of charge. Pick up a copy in 5-122 or e-mail us your address.
• If you are not a member of the MIT community and would like a printed copy of "The Torch or The Firehose", you may purchase copies of this booklet at $5.00 each (plus shipping). To order, please e-mail us with details.
• For educational purposes, anyone may download the entire booklet or any of its individual chapters as PDF files (formatted to print 8.5"x11"), courtesy of MIT OpenCourseWare.

Table of Contents

1. The Glass Wall: Encouraging Interaction
2. Questions: Theirs and Yours
3. Before You Walk In...
4. A Word About Pedagogy
5. In the Classroom
6. Off to a Good Start
7. Basic Communication Skills
8. Seeing Is Understanding: Using the Blackboard
9. Evaluating Your Students: Assignments, Exams, Grades
10. Evaluating You: Feedback
11. Small Groups: Tutorials and Office Hours
12. Invisible Students
13. Teachers from Other Countries
14. Problem Students and Students with Problems
15. Epilogue: A Word About You
16. Summary