Training PhD students, faculty in teaching methods can increase quality of education: Opinion

PhD students should have teaching strategies and online instructional methods incorporated into their programs in order to be prepared to teach after graduation, write Judith Altschuler Cahn, James R Stellar, and Suzanne Brooks. Cahn, Stellar, and Brooks say that online learning has become increasingly popular, but the pandemic switch highlighted the issues with current teaching methods. The authors argue that PhD students need to be trained in how to teach online, and recommend that doctoral programs include one or two courses on teaching and learning. They add that doctoral students and university faculty need to receive dedicated training in online instructional methods. They recommend that onboarding programs include student learning-focused skills development, and encourage the addition of professional development to tenure packages to help faculty develop their skills for different teaching environments. Inside Higher Ed (Editorial)