Keeping Current
In addition to teaching, do you recommend working in your field of study?
Dr. Randy,
You are making the content real for the students as a result of you currently working in it. This brings both relevancy and application to the classroom. As you know students really perk up when you share stories with them because they see the value of your course content in relation to the career experience you share with them on a regular basis.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I teach in health care and my students expect me to have knowledge of the field. I find that working part time in the field gives me more credibility and expertise. I can bring in stories of real life experiences to mix into lectures and lessons.
Rick,
Real up to date content and experience is what helps the students to see relevancy and application of the course content. Good point thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
In my mind, I believe this to be essential on some level. It may vary depending on the instructor teaching, but real-world application is way to important to carelessly overlook. In this day and age, students seem to be less interested in pontificating professors and are more interested in those who have done what the students are wanting to do.
I think this speaks directly to the credibility question of an instructor. For example, I would rather learn Windows Server from someone who has spends time actually managing and maintaining them, rather than just some clown who doesn't know anything beyond what the textbook or Microsoft says.
-R
N.,
All depends on your situation. If you don't want to leave the field then you can get an adjunct position where you have the best of both worlds. If you want to teach full time then your previous experience in the field will serve you well but you will need to continue to stay current in your field.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
