http://brentnewhall.com/teaching Brent P. Newhall's Teaching Blog 2009-01-05T18:05:23Z Brent P. Newhall Teaching Materials - How Much Is Enough? http://brentnewhall.com/blogs/teaching/16-Apr-08-teaching-materials-.php 2008-04-16T09:00:01Z

16 Apr 08 - Teaching Materials - How Much Is Enough?

I'm beginning to think that the hardest part about teaching (for me, at least, right now) is figuring out where to start so that the student(s) will understand. What do you assume that the student knows?

You can't know what that student knows when they walk into the classroom, or signs up for a course. Even if they took another course, how much did they learn?

Does this mean that you should define rigorous prerequisites, and hold students to them?

I prefer that the instructor provide a lot of "catch-up" material for students who don't understand the assumed fundamentals. Have a few handouts for those who may not have fully grasped everything you need them to know.

Not that hard.

Posted in Teaching

 1 Mar 07 http://brentnewhall.com/blogs/teaching/1-Mar-07-1-mar-07.php 2007-03-01T09:00:01Z

1 Mar 07 - 1 Mar 07

And yesterday was another long day. Work plus my web design class. I definitely look forward to being used to that class, so I don't have to put as much energy into it.

Not that I want to skate through it. The first pass through a class is always the most difficult, especially when you haven't taught for a while. I'm re-learning how to teach, how slow to go (very slow), how to gauge the students' comprehension, and some of the material itself.

If I teach this course again, it'll be easier, and when I return home I won't be as exhausted.

Posted in Teaching

 31 Jan 07 http://brentnewhall.com/blogs/teaching/31-Jan-07-31-jan-07.php 2007-01-31T09:00:01Z

31 Jan 07 - 31 Jan 07

I taught my first class in eight years tonight. I'm teaching a web design class through the county's adult education, and I'm developing the course from scratch. I've been nervous all day, asking myself: What if I lock up? What if the students are all difficult? What if none of them understand English?

It was a joy. The students were attentive, the room was up-to-date, and I was on my game for almost all night.

I'd forgotten how much I love to teach. My blood quickens when I do. When I came home, I sat down at my kitchen table and had milk and cookies, and realized I was almost trembling. Not from fear; from excitement. From love. From enjoyment. I love doing this.

Posted in Teaching