Steven Volk, historian at Oberlin, named one of 4 professors of the year

Four professors who have changed their teaching approach to engage their students in the learning process and have provided research opportunities for undergraduates are being honored today as U.S. Professors of the Year....

Mr. Volk, a professor of history and chair of the Latin American studies division, has been teaching Latin American political history for 26 years. To maximize discussion time in the classroom, he posts video lectures on the Web that students can watch before the class. Mr. Volk said he started doing that so that students can actively participate in their own learning.

"Every class is a discussion, because that is the way that students can construct their own understanding and knowledge, rather than me telling them what's going on," he said....