At large research universities, teaching often plays a minor role at the time of tenure review. Indeed, success and popularity in the classroom may even be a liability, an indication of an absence of serious scholarly purpose. At small liberal-arts colleges, by contrast, teaching is taken seriously, and poor evaluations from students can be the kiss of death. Our forthcoming book, Teaching to Win, provides a useful guide for the perplexed academician. Don't let students know that you have no idea what you are talking about.
Studies regularly show that students respond negatively to candid confessions of ignorance.
Never forget that they are consumers, and that what they are consuming is your knowledge. Do make your students feel good about themselves. If students continue to trail into the classroom 15 minutes late, thank them for interrupting their busy sexual and athletic schedules for your class. If they are unable to answer even the most rudimentary questions about the material, remind them that there is power in silence. If their response bears no discernible relation to the question, remind them that there's no such thing as a right or wrong answer.