Off the Bench
I am an adjunct instructor with fellow colleague who "created" the course of instruction we deliver. Basically, he is the lead b/c he has seniority and has been in the institution for a very long time and I am the new guy off the bench. He created the material and since I am the backup/Plan B, he expects me to deliver the same material in the exact same manner (to include the cheesy props he uses). Framkly, the way most of it is laid out does not really flow nor does the embedded media draw relevance to the lesson. I have seen him deliver this material, but for me, a lot of it just doesn't work. What should I do to "personalize" the material without taking any main points away and not upsetting the "silverback?"
Michael,
Seems like an ackward situation. Unless s/he is your boss I think you should have the freedom to modify the class to suit your perspective of how it should be conducted. That said, one way to personalize and still use existing material is by "amplication". This technique suggests the teacher to quickly go through the "required material", then amplify by adding to the subject information and material that augments the basic points of the topic. Another technique is "laying the groundwork" method. Here, the teacher gives a very thorough introduction that covers needed information in a way that suits the presenting teacher, then go back and review using the "hokey" material you're required to use. BTW, if student evaluations rate you and your teaching separately, and you reach out, engage students, that'll show up in the student evaluations, and perhaps this "super-dude" will see there is something you do that gets high marks from students. I'm sure s/he will give pause to contemplate why that is. Good luck.
Barry Westling
I have dealt with this very issue. It's a tough one and requires a lot of creative thinking because our goal is not to make the guy look like a jerk but rather to take control of our own classroom. I think that if your students are learning and retaining information using your approach that your student surveys will drive the point home to the know it all. :o)
Pam,
I agree our strategies should never infer, imply, or subtlely put someone down. Giving the students the information they need in the best way we can given the circumstances and environment available to us.
Barry Westling
