Author Archive

Andrew Petto

Andrew Petto recently retired as Distinguished Lecturer Emeritus from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee where he taught anatomy and physiology and introduced TopHat. His PhD is in Biological Anthropology with post-doctoral studies in primate behavioral biology at Harvard Medical School (NERPRC) and in primate ecology in the Department of Anthropology at UW-Madison, supplemented by graduate studies in curriculum and instruction at Drexel University. His latest book, Human Structure and Function—an interactive textbook for students outside the sciences—was published by Top Hat in 2017.

  1. How and When To Make A Course Correction While Teaching

    A “course made good” in teaching is like steering a ship—work out where you are, where you’re pointing, and how to change direction to get to your destination

  2. A 19-Point Teaching Checklist For The First-Time Lecturer

    Top Hat Scholar and Distinguished Lecturer Emeritus of biology at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Andrew Petto, offers a series of tips to those new to teaching, from preparing and practicing lectures to reviewing after the final exam

  3. The Hidden Powers of Classroom Multiple Choice Questions

    Many might consider multiple choice questions a trivial waste of time in the classroom, and prone to wild guesses. But Top Hat Scholar and Distinguished Lecturer Emeritus of biology at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Andrew Petto, explains how, when you add a little more sophistication to them, you can start getting a good understanding of your students’ progress towards mastery

  4. 9 Ways Professors Can Reduce Textbook Costs For Students

    Andrew Petto, PhD, is Distinguished Lecturer Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. A former anatomy and physiology lecturer, he is a long-standing user of Top Hat in class. Here he explains, from his own experience, the many ways lecturers can help reduce textbook costs for their students—from tips on getting discounts to avoiding expensive bundles. […]