Kenneth Bain, Director of the Searle Center for Teaching Excellence at Northwestern University, visited Bilkent last week to provide information on excellent teaching. He gave a seminar to faculty, Department Chairs mostly, and lead two retreats for the academics in the Department of Management and Department of Economics. 
Bain discussed two methods of teaching. The first, the traditional one, or the "transmission method", may best be illustrated by the teacher who relates, "Although I taught them well, they just didn't learn.". The second method is the "engagement method" which involves the students in the learning process.
Kenneth Bain said that good teachers were observed to see how they teach. It was seen that they use the engagement method, and this is how they do it: they start the class with a question; then make the students feel curious about the question, and encourage them to think; they let students analyze the issue; they don't necessarily provide the answers all the time; and lastly they end the class with a question!
The two weekend retreats Kenneth Bain spent with the faculty away from the university, also provided valuable results. The group members discussed the problems they face while they teach and came up with solutions and action plans. All in all, Bilkent faculty received valuable information on excellent teaching.
