Teaching Methods: What kind of professors do students like?

This is coming from a final year undergrad. I have really liked many professors who don't know I exist and the ones I haven't admired, well, let's just say they know that. Straight to it then: Those who speak fluent and clearly. Those who write on white boards. Neatly. Those to use informative and well presented powerpoints. Those who encourage any and every question and also respond professionally. Those who get straight to the point. Those who exercise humor. Those who DON'T forget to silent their phones, and DON'T play games on their phones in class. Those who don't have an obsessive compulsive need to make a student feel stupid or worse, unsafe. Those who DON'T play with their hair.

When I was just starting my career as a university instructor, I received good reviews and a few years later, I received great reviews. I did not understand that. I'm nothing special. I considered myself an average instructor on a good day, but the positive evaluations just kept coming.One day, I had a casual conversation with a very senior professor from another department to whom I expressed my feelings about these unwarranted reviews. He said, "You care about your students and it shows through to the point where they can see it". It's true. I do care. A lot.Case in point. Years later, there was a very specific question on a course evaluation: How well did your instructor teach time series? 17 students responded: excellently; 1 student responded: good; and 1 student responded poorly. The last student was correct. Time series was not a topic in the course and I did not teach it. The other 17 folks liked me and checked a box to help me out. (I shudder to think what they do to people that they don't like).

I just finished my undergraduate degree major in mathematics. All of the preceding answers before my answer tend to answer a more specific or should I say different question: "What kind or qualities of an instructor/lecturer do students like" I will try to answer your question just base solely from my perspective: 1) I like professors who are actually ACTIVE researchers in their field. Apparently I found out not all professors in a department are active in research in SOME universities. So in order to make sure, one should visit their office hours. It's also nice to see if the professor is well acquainted with people in the field outside the university. Does the professor give talks/lectures in a university? Does the professor collaborate on research papers with people outside the university? (I guess if you're in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Business School, Economics, etc.... I guess it would be nice to know whether the professor is somewhat acquainted with their field in the private sector) 2) I like professors who have a good history as a mentor. What I mean is I would try to take a look at the mathematical accomplishments of their apprentices (mentored publications, whether they got into graduate school or not, they get to present in conferences or not, does the particular professor actually engage in undergraduate research or not,  etc.). 3) Quality of classroom teaching/mentoring does not matter to me. They are completely irrelevant in the long run in my own opinion. Although the mentors I did have were very good lecturers. There is a plethora of resource online and other textbooks available out there to be utilized for more understanding if classroom instruction was not sufficient. At the end of the day, what I am looking for is at least three letters of recommendation for the pursuit of my career. Whether the professor is a good pedagog or not, that does not matter. Long story short, if I was to reverse time and become a freshman again in college. Before even the semester starts, I would try to formulate my list of "three professors  to letters of recommendation for me". There is a chance this list my change in the as time goes on.  I would then try to focus my time and energy to cultivate mathematical/ "field-(al/ic)" relationships with them for next 4-5 years.  This is the advice I would tell anyone about to start college who already has a particular major and career in mind. This advice is a little bit more challenging if you are transferring from a community college but still doable. I also transferred from a community college.

I like some professor very much. I would not like to indicate who are them. There are some good factor should include in one professors. The students like professors only through  professors  behaviors . A professors must contain good speaking towards students. Then only student will like professors. Always professors should advice good thing to students.  At the time  of teaching a professor can speak only after students are quiet and ready. A goo professor certainly give some fresh time for student to get ready for learning. The students like professor whom have  more helping mentality and love towards students.A good professor always must have with  the students in their difficulty time.

Students like those teachers and professors who have -Self confidence - no fear of teaching or clarifying doubts. -Subject confidence - thorough knowledge of the content and the techniques of  delivering it and -Class confidence -that the students will learn and can be made to learn.

I would suggest the following 9 would be a great start: Passionate about their domain and craft (aka the teaching craft).  A perpetual student of both. Respectful, empathetic, kind, and considerate. Challenging (not an easy A or a pushover) Human, not a bureaucrat (see also kind, respectful, etc..) Class as more than information dump. Cares what the students think/Engaging (asks questions, encourages participation) Interesting Factoids/Stories in lessons Class is more than scantrons and multiple choice tests. Activities are both fun and educational.

No one is perfect nor can one be liked by all. However to be popular among your students,  its important to gauge the temperament of your class. Not everybody is alike but you can get a hang about the IQ and attitude of the class. And based upon this you need to plan your lecture. For example, to match a class very arrogant and fast interpolate brain teasing puzzles/questions in your lecture likewise  to make a dull class interactive make the students talk from their experiences. Its essential that apart from the required skill set for a professor/teacher, you are required to be flexible in teaching. One of the must have qualities is to be reachable to the students. The students expect from you based upon how you respond and interact with them to their queries. Being humorous also adds up to your popularity. Sometimes you need to be like a friend.

A professor that is passionate about his field and wants to transmit his passion with enthusiasm. He has to be charismatic and care about his students well beings.  He can stimulate the smartest students and encourage/support the most difficult ones.

Studies have shown that high school students have most respect for teachers who: Show respect and empathy for their students. Have a genuine mastery of their subject-matter and therefore know how to make it accessible to the students. So the moral of that story is: Be a person who cares about people. Be an expert in your field.