Friday, February 17, 2012

Teaching: from anxiety to accomplishment

I have just started teaching! I teach at a private college in Dhaka, named University of Liberal Arts, Bangladesh. at the Dhanmondi area. My course is freshman-level Communication Research.

For somebody who taught at college only once before, it was really challenging in first couple of days. Nervousness and lack of experience made the work hard. I felt the students were not agreeing with my lessons. The class, after ending, seemed to not accomplishing the desired amount. Lastly, I was feeling that my teaching seems to keeping a good amount of things behind!

It did not last long.

I was really familiar with what my teaching topic. My depth of knowledge, expertise and motivation helped to overcome the problems.

Later I understood that those types of problems should be expected for any newly hired graduate in any job. It is all about situation and communication, not your ability.

I addressed the issue of lack of effective teaching by planning for an adequate time. Clear, elaborate, scene-to-scene solution to the issues helped to be prepared for any untoward situation.
I learned that when a teacher feel that the students are not getting him, he should
try the 'closer' way--know them! Talk to them, learn about them and know their work. It will bridge the distance a lot!
Preparation and work in advance on your class will greatly bless you, the newly hired teacher.
Teaching is more about classroom management and cognitive processing of messages than just exercising one's intellect.
My efforts are now paying off as the classes have began to be enjoying, participatory, mutual and fruitful. The learners are happy and looked glad to know the new stuff, seems to say that yes, this worth our money and time!