Ideas must be rethought, experience must be re-experienced. Most university courses employ just the first two, but only the third leverages the direct correlation between involvement and learning. Along these lines, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute recently integrated self-learning computer exercises into the classroom. Not only do students prefer the new format, but long term course costs have been reduced as well. I would like to do the same with a variety of engineering courses, since such active student participation increases the effectiveness of the learning process.
Effective teachers are continual learners.
I would rather have my students drink from a running stream than from a stagnant pool. One of the great challenges of teaching is how to make old material new. The only way I know to do this is by being a continual learner. As long as I am growing, my teaching will be fresh, since I will have fresh perspectives to bring to it. In contrast, if I am not growing, then I will not have enthusiasm for the material, and my students will not either.