Spring new educators orientation
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Laura McLay gave a presentation to new educators about her journey from a shy teaching assistant to a comfortable professor. She discussed wishing she knew it takes 5-10 years to become a great teacher. She emphasized managing student expectations by setting clear expectations and warnings. She provided tips for active learning techniques like embracing awkward silences and using in-class examples. She also stressed the importance of prioritizing tasks and finding a balance with research. Overall, she encouraged new educators to be patient with themselves and find teaching styles that feel authentic.
Spring new educators orientation
- 2. Overview I am going to talk about my journey from a painfully shy TA to a professor who is comfortable in the classroom and when talking to the media about research on the evening news. Topics include • What I wish I knew when I was starting to teach • Tips for managing student expectations • Active learning techniques • Time management
- 8. Student evaluations are not strongly correlated with the quality of your teaching or learning • It is a popularity contest • They are affected by things outside your control • Students generally prefer “easy” classes • There are biases http://benschmidt.org/profGender/
- 11. Ways to manage expectations • Set up expectations on the first day and in the syllabus • Tell students if it is a hard class • Warn students when something hard or unexpected is coming up • Do not make sudden turns during the semester • Ample warning makes for fewer unpleasant surprises • Use the first few minutes of each class to remind students what you did last time and tell them the goal for class and for the semester • Remind students along the way how far you’ve come • Remind students that you are it in together • Hand out grading rubrics before presentations or project reports are due
- 15. In class examples give you the a lot of bang for your buck Side benefits: • You figure out what the students do not know • You get to know the students • The activities mimic exam questions so students can prep for exams (and you manage expectations!)
- 16. Easy and effective ideas that have worked for me • Mostly lecture the first time I teach a course • Transition more of the material to active learning every semester • Homework 0 for reviewing background material instead of boring lectures covering background material • Record audio for instructions, explanations, recap of a lecture, etc. • Record video (screenshot) of lecture recap/software demo • Jing, Camtasia, etc. • Take screenshots for step by step instructions of how to do something using the course software • Handouts! • Google docs for shared data and collaboration • In-class polls / voting with hands, clickers, or cell phones • Examples where students generate data (dice, M&Ms, etc.) • Ask students to come up with examples of when they would apply a method or theory
- 19. What not to do the first time* • Flip the classroom • Course blog, where students write and comment • Elaborate semester-long project done collaboratively with students • Have students develop and present material • Anything that is not the norm or that could backfire WHY?? • More work (a 60-90 minute MOOC lecture requires TWO FULL DAYS of prep) • Harder to manage expectations • Must front load the course prep • You can do these things next time. Remember that it takes 5-10 years to be a great teacher? * Unless you are given a template and mentoring for doing so
- 22. Make time for the important but not urgent things (your research!) • “Big Rocks First” management strategy • Get things done before deadlines • Get sleep so you can focus on important tasks • You won’t magically have more time in the future—don’t keep putting things on your schedule for next week IMPORTANT NOT IMPORTANT URGENT URGENT/ IMPORTANT URGENT/ NOT IMPORTANT NOT URGENT NOT URGENT/ IMPORTANT NOT URGENT/ NOT IMPORTANT
- 24. Time management tips from a friend • You have already had 15-20 years of education, during which you have had plenty of examples of good and bad teaching to learn from. Emulate the good things. • Avoid email from students except at set times • Only handle it (email, etc.) once • Overprepare for exams • Return all assignments in a week • Make the classroom a “safe place” for asking questions (don’t be intimidating, embrace awkward pauses) • Keep a calendar • Accept that you’d like to spend more time on teaching but you have to set reasonable limits
- 28. “Just relax and it will all fall into place” This is code for: don’t be introverted! Better answers about how to relax: • Fake it until you make it! • Chat with students before class • Smile to every student who asks you a question • Emulate people that you aspire to teach like who are like you
- 32. CONFESSION! It took me awhile to do some things effectively • Not feel like a fraud in front of the classroom • Answer questions in a way that wasn’t over the students’ heads • Not get defensive in class when someone did something rude • Be relaxed and confident when dealing with demanding students • Be comfortable enough to tell a joke in front of a class and own it • Learn that cute cat pictures will get students to pay attention J
- 33. Takeaways for starting your teaching journey 1. There are many ways to be a good instructor 2. Manage expectations! • Start with the syllabus and course policies • Convey expectations / where you are going every class • Big impact on the classroom with little effort 3. Prioritize! • Try things that are easy to prep with a high payoff • Set limits and make time for research • Save some teaching ideas for next time 4. If you’re not a natural at speaking in front of a large group of people • Fake it until you make it 5. Be patient and understanding with yourself …
- 36. For more reading • http://punkrockor.com/2014/04/18/time-management-tips-for-assistant- professors-and-everyone/ • https://punkrockor.com/2014/01/27/how-college-is-like-choosing-between- going-to-the-movies-and-watching-netflix/ • https://punkrockor.com/2016/04/21/what-i-do-for-diversity-and-inclusion- in-the-classroom/ • https://punkrockor.com/2016/04/29/teaching-hack-student-moderators-for- in-class-presentations/ • https://punkrockor.com/2012/02/29/the-flipped-classroom/ • https://punkrockor.com/2015/11/11/engineering-systems-critical- infrastructure-and-logistics/