Effective teachers are flexible and provide an appropriate variety of learning methods and experiences. They are willing to change plans, syllabi, and approaches to adjust to student needs and responses. They are able to do this without compromising the goals and quality of the course. Effective teachers are enthusiastic about the material they teach and try to inspire enthusiasm in the student. Many faculty interviewed regarded this as the most important element of good teaching.
Effective teachers require students to use critical thinking skills.
Effective teachers have high expectations for student learning. They encourage students by setting challenging but achievable goals and by showing respect for students and their opinions and abilities. Effective teachers are able to perceive numerous student misconceptions, and teach in a manner as to minimize these. Effective teachers maintain a degree of humility. As one put it, they take their subjects seriously but not themselves.