Started with very little....
When I began teaching my current course, I was provided with no more than a couple of books (student editions) and a few power point presentations. On top of that, I am a brand new instructor!
After making it through the course the first time, I realized there had to be a better way than what I started with. I dove into finding better ways to make the class more interesting for the students and myself. I gained a better understanding of the material and found some ways to make it not so dull.
This research allowed me to create lesson plans to incorporate the new activities. This made the class much more enjoyable for the students and myself.
I still continually look for new information and more interesting ways to present the material.
When you started out in teaching, did you have a mentor or good information to work with? If not, how did you go about making it interesting?
Jill,
I think we all have someone in our past that stood out in one way or another. The common thread is probably they either accepted us, appreciated us, showed unusual caring and or understanding, or was very amazing at teaching. You sound like you'd be a great mentor for someone because you feel you started with little and on your own initiative made the class more interesting and better by your efforts. That's valuable! I also think a key to effectiveness is being given some autonomy to be creative and try new things. In that setting, the motivated instructor will have the opportunity to expand the limits of the course and learn what does and does not work in getting students involved, interested, and knowledgeable about their course topics.
Barry Westling
