The Spark of Learning: Energizing the College Classroom with the Science of Emotion (Teaching and Learning in Higher Education)

This is a very readable guide to help higher education faculty make effective and conscious use of emotion in the classroom. I liked the chapter summaries, the guides for further reading, and the final summary of the author's points in the last chapter contain useful advice for those who would not have the time or inclination to read the entire book. I also like the author's willingness to acknowledge where the conclusions drawn are not firmly based on research. This is in contrast to many reformers who latch onto one "miracle" new method and accept no limits to or criticism of it. Overall, an excellent book for individual faculty and a book that should be in college and university professional development collections.

This was a selection for a reading circle at the university where I teach. It gave some great tips on engaging students in creative thought. More importantly, though, it served as a catalyst for our group (a small group of five professors in five different fields) to think about what we have done that worked well, what we've done that didn't work well, and what we will try in the future. It was a really useful and fun reading circle. I recommend this book as a resource for other, similar endeavors.

This is by far one of the better books for enhancing student motivation and learning. Cavanagh finds the perfect blend of scientific research and practical recommendations for teaching in the classroom. She does an especially good job of integrating the important role of students' emotions; something few books on pedagogy offer. I highly recommend this book for educators at any level.

An erudite, well-written book. You get a clear introduction on what emotions are, and how to conceptualize them, as well as research-based, effective ways to think about applying them to teaching. Recommended.

Grounded in real theory and research, written accessibly and with compassion for her readers, this book is packed with sound advice for anyone interested in energizing and engaging with their students. Highly recommended!

My lack of enjoyment of this book probably goes to the fact that, even though this book’s subtitle is “Energizing the College Classroom with the Science of Emotion,” I felt that Cavanagh failed to practice what she preached. This is a well-documented research piece, to be sure, with some valuable insights into how emotion impacts student learning. On the other hand, it reads like a science report, and the primary emotion it invoked within me was a dread of wading through the research. While the material has definite merit, it was uninspiring. I will not be recommending this to any of my colleagues.

I first taught a university course in 1962 (and still am). Yet this book has given me several ideas that I will try to implement in my next courses.