I had a great response from to my previous blog about teaching at University. Thank you if you took the time to read it and I hope it gave you some food for thought,
In this blog I'll try give you an insight into the teaching itself, involvement and my experiences with students. Especially if teaching is something completely new to you.
What do I teach?
At current time I am teaching 'radio production' at two different universities. Although slightly different courses, the framework to the courses are basically the same. The main idea of these courses is to allow students to form new skills such as interviewing, editing and presenting radio programmes. Most courses will last for 12 teaching weeks (generally with breaks halfway for various term breaks). That sounds like quite a lot of material to come up with when each lesson is 3 hours in duration! Remember there is a main project for the students to take on which uses much of the time.
I find that many students don't have much of an interest in working in radio. Media is seems to be one of those courses people opt for because it seems quite fun with very little paperwork to take on! Actually that is true, it is very much like that! However, my aim is to change students opinion on radio as a medium. Ideally, I would love them to finish the course and think 'I had fun, I have found my calling, I would love to work in radio'.
One of the great things about radio industry it is not just about being on air presenting. There are so many unsung heroes behind the scenes of a radio station. So talking about the various roles in the early stages of the course is really important, so people can at least have food for thought for an area that they feel interests them.
Getting the best out of students
The 'thing' about teaching (of any age group) is understanding how each individual learns best. It is too easy to generalise and think everyone is up to speed with the class and it's progression week to week. This is pretty tricky when on average you host a class of 25 students. It does not take long to make observations about who is paying attention and who is not. So I think it is important to identify those who seem a little dis-interest and make a bee line for them to get them involved.
Some students prefer PowerPoint presentations so they can take notes. Other students would like the information to read in their own time and take in. I guess it is like when we were younger revising for exams. Did you like music on in the background? Or were you the type of person who needed total silence whilst studying so you took the information in?
If you can learn how each student studies best, you will get the best out of them. It will pay off for them in the long run, better results for them, good results for the university. A massive part of being a university lecturer is allowing students to discover skills they never had. Some have a natural talent for things and they did not even know realise! It is up to YOU to find that hidden talent.
You are not just the lecturer
One thing I have noticed that is increasing is the amount of pastoral care you take on. Many of the students are away from home (within the UK or overseas). Most will be living away from their parents for the first time, a new place with a lack of friends. A scary time for many and generally the first person they turn to for advice is their lecturer. They see a lecturer as being someone of responsibility, an adult who they trust. There are certain situations that you can rectify within class but there are also times where they have to be taken to the next step. The most serious situation I have dealt with is a racism complaint between two students in my class. This was something that was taken to top level management due to the seriousness and at one point the police were involved. This was a very difficult situation to deal with in the class because they still both needed to attend the classes. I found this very challenging. I didn't want to seem to be taking sides with one student over the other, so I spent equal amounts of time with both
I have also had a student who felt she was being bullied by two members of the group she was working with in class. She came to me in tears. How would you deal with that? After all, students are technically adults and should be able to resolve the situation amongst themselves?
Other challenges
Some students have something called a 'support plan'. These are put in place by the university for students with special requirements, be it extra learning time or changes to the actual environment they study in.
For example, I had a student once who required to be sat in the nearest position to the door. This student used to have panic attacks in a classroom with large amounts of students or generally in small rooms. She also had a assistant to write notes for her. The major problem was, that I was not allowed to tell other students of her condition or who her assistant was or what she was there for. Quite often the student would arrive late and the seat by the door was taken up by another student. So it was quite challenging asking a people to move seats without giving the game away. You cant put a 'reserved' sign over a seat after all! Or can you?
All of these challenges make the job different from one day to the next. However, if you embrace these challenges it makes you a better lecturer. I see these situations as your very own hands on university course. Only you don't get any qualifications for it....though on a plus side it is free!
If there is any aspect of teaching or broadcast you would like me to blog on, feel free to suggest it below!
Would also like your general comments on the blog also (if you would be so kind).
You can follow me on twitter @AndyMartindale
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