I was going to begrudgingly title this "Teaching tips for research students who have my teaching hours"... but that's just mean. I've been asked for help/advice from research students who suddenly find themselves teaching.
I posted this on Moodle for them, and sharing it... because I imagine there's others in the same boat.
How to teach in a Computer Lab
This is the way I do it, it may not be the way everyone does it. This is what works for me.
I'm putting these notes here because these techniques may not be obvious if you have no experience training or teaching.
Come in about 5 minutes before the class starts. Give any other students in the lab a warning that a class will start soon. This allows them time to save their work and relocate.
Tidy the space. Go around the lab and remove and trash from the desks, and push in the chairs. This makes the room look orderly and tidy. Keep your belongings orderly and tidy (hang coat, bags under desk, etc). No it's not your job to clean, but it sets a good stage for your class. Respect.
Don't allow other students in the class. I have run into problems with this. Besides potential problems it can be intimidating and change behavious of the class. In the odd time I do allow others to use the lab while I have class, I ask my students permission. I do allow students I know to stay in sometimes if they are stuck for space at the end of term when people are completing assignments. If it's a situation of software they can't get: be very clear they are not to speak during the class, and again, ask permission.
Greet people when they come in. Don't get too personal. They don't really care about your personal life. They are more concerned about themselves/friends. You need to get them thinking about the class and subject matter.
If students are obviously hung over, don't make jokes about it. Don't make jokes about drinking. In general, don't use any types of metaphors or examples which involve drinking. This could be seen to condone it. While we're on the subject of things not to talk about: Be professional at all times. Be a team player, don't disparage the computers, IT services, the IT, your colleagues, etc. The students don't care and it makes you look bad.
Be very clear about when you start class. Whether it's 10 past or on the dot of the hour. They need to know you have started and you don't repeat if someone is late.
Try to learn as many students' names as soon as possible. 4 the first week, 4 the next, all by the first month. Ask them their names when you call on them, use their names often. Have them use their names on their assignments. Tip: if you're passing by and they are logged into Moodle, their name appears on the screen. This can help you remember.
The lab is NOT a lecture. Repeat: NOT a lecture. Do not stand up in front of class very long. I usually do a quick Q + A to get people thinking of real life examples of something we will be doing. E.g., if it's about data storage and retrieval, then I get them thinking about how an online greeting card works, or how the top scores are held and stored for an online game.
I generally do not use Powerpoint. Though some Powerpoint lectures are there I only refer to them. Students like to look at them for self-study. I usually jump into something practical before others would (so I have observed).
I try to get people out of their seats. If I am demonstrating something, I get ALL the students to bring their chairs to the front of the class so we are looking at one screen.
In that case, while watching one screen to solve a problem, I have them tell ME what to do. I let them make mistakes. I compliment ANYONE who takes a guess, and compliment them for interesting ideas, even if they are wrong.
When you first start calling on these kids, they are not used to shouting out answers. You will have to wait the first few times you ask questions. Wait. Wait. Wait.
This means a moment of uncomfortable silence... but trust me, it gets better in a few weeks.
DO NOT babble and repeat and rephrase the question a billion times. Just shut up and let them think. They are twitching in their seats. Someone is trying to pluck up the courage to speak. Don't babble and confuse. You're nervous at the silence. They are more nervous.
You build trust this way that you know they have the answers and you want to hear them. I've seen this repeatedly in other's presentations and lectures. They don't trust that someone will give them the answer, and they hate silence. They speak/say the answer before the students do it. If you can get through this in the first 2-3 weeks, you will have a much more responsive class.
Make the students feel smart. Don't ask students to "raise hands if you don't understand something/know the answer". Do I need to explain this?
You can use the "rows" as impromptu groups. If you find participation isn't well -spread, you can say: OK how about this row? We've heard alot from that row, how about you?
It's unlikely you will run into personality clashes or behavioural problems. It is best to not deal with these things in front of the whole class. Take the student out of class if needed. Or talk to them before or after a class. Get them to come up with the solution. In the most dire of circumstances you have a right to ask for their student ID, which they must handover. If needed you can contact a colleague or someone else to back you up, and possibly mediate a situation.
Anyway, this stuff isn't completely obvious. And you'd likely learn it from experience. Hopefully it will help you deliver classes with responsive students who will listen to you and get alot out of the class.
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