The Strategy Designed to Improve the Teaching Materials in YZIT
Ying J. Huang
Department of Electrical Engineering
Yuan-Ze Institute of Technology
135 Far-East Rd., Chungli, Taoyuan, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Abstract:
To improve the quality of teaching is one of the major
concerns among engineering colleges nationwide. Yuan-Ze
Institute of Technology (YZIT) is a school with
characteristic of a highly experimental specialty.
The Office of Academic Affairs founded the ``Teaching
Resources Section'' to work out the plans for promoting
teaching quality. The term ``teaching quality'' is applied to the
whole school and to each individual teacher. Members from
every department and the administrative offices in the school
were invited to constitute the ``Teaching-Resources Projecting
Committee'' (TRPC). TRS and
TRPC have inquired into the possibilities and efficiency of
every program, and have solved every difficult problem. The
fundamental concept and practical methods used to help
teachers improve their teaching materials are presented. It
involves the establishment of a system, management of
financial aid, and administrative support. Unlike other
schools, improving teaching materials is one of the primary
policies in YZIT. The system has been applied to the school
for two years. The result is
demonstrated. The difficulties
encountered are mainly:
(1) the use of funds is not flexible, and
(2) the existing uniform format of reports restricts the
diversity of achievement of various projects. Through two
years' experiment, it is believed that managing the financial
aid for the amendment of teaching materials by TRS can indeed
improve the teaching quality of teachers individually. It is
hoped that the plan is brought into the Outstanding Teaching
Award system to encourage more teachers to participate in the
program. The result is satisfactory to the local need. It is
believed that the course content plus the teaching techniques
uses would be of great help to a successful teaching. The
experimental experience has been delightful to YZIT and such a
program may be a valuable reference for other engineering
schools.