Teaching the unknown
How do you teach something that is unfamiliar to you?
Amy,
Develop an outline and look for what you do know about the topic. Then get information and insight into what you don't know and combine the two. The first time through material like this you will probably be only little ahead of your students due to your preparation efforts but you can do it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Elizabeth,
Congratulations on being able to cope with this situation. It is important for instructors to be able to "think on their feet" just as you indicated because it is for sure that each day of teaching is different than the previous one.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I frequently get new textbooks only a day or two before class begins. Thankfully, I'm very familiar with the subject matter, so I only need to bring myself up to speed with the specific way it is presented in the text.
I'll admit I'm often only a few steps ahead of my students since there is so little time to plan lectures/activities that follow the new textbook.
I know this isn't particularly helpful, but I've come to realize that I need to be comfortable thinking on my feet and adjusting to new material and situations quickly.
I'd love to hear if more experienced instructors have better ways to deal with new materials or subject matters.
