Sharing the course materials with others
I started to teach a new course. I was surprised that some of the instrutors were very possessive of their materials. I had to use the publishers power point slides which was a great idea to cut the time regarding the physical aspect of presentation.
Thomas, It's always nice to stand on a solid foundation of knowledge that you have built over the years. At the same time, sometimes it can be good to branch out and experiment with teaching new topics, just to stay fresh and on top of innovations in your field.
Dr. Melissa Read
I totally agree. I find its better to teach the class content as i know it rather than try to do something totally new that i've never done before.
I am happy to share materials with others, but I agree, some things work for me and don't work for others. As an instructor you have to be invested in the course so it doesn't look like a "canned" course.
I have to agree. Plus - and it feels selfish writing this - as an expert in my field I don't want to give away ALL the information and experience that made me valuable enough to be hired in the first place. I feel that, in general, I'm very giving and helpful when dealing with other instructors and I'm glad to help with short answers and some exercises, but I don't want to "give away the farm" or train my replacement. I put a lot of time and expertise into my lesson plans and expect other instructors to do the same. Wow, I am having a lot of guilt feelings as I write this answer........half of me thinks I should be a bigger person; the other half thinks you would not ask a professional seminar leader if you can take all their hard work & exercises and use it for free in your class, so you should not take from other instructors in the same way.
Neda...
I have spent many, many hours on crafting my materials, above and beyond what was asked. I have never been paid for this , it was for myself to have things organized to my standards. This could be a reason why you are seeing this. If I develop a course and am paid for it, then it is school property. But if I develop my own materials it is my property. You might want to offer something of value to your associates to offset the time they spent without compensation. Take me out to dinner... :)
I feel like it is extremely important to share what I have created for a class with my fellow instructors. Then, if they have new ideas about my materials, I can incorporate those ideas into my next class and we both benefit.
Christopher, I like your approach and thanks for sharing! I know this will be helpful to other instructors. Yes, sometimes eliciting the response we want comes down to the methods we use for getting it. Some methods work better than others.
Dr. Melissa Read
I have run into this as well. Its very frustrating and make you fell like they are hoping you will fail. I have found that if you approach them with an idea and ask if they have had luck with it in their class they seem to be more willing to assist. This approach shows you as someone that is generally looking for advice and help as apposed to someone that is looking for a handout.
I do not think that it is a matter of being possesive. I know in my situation, it took a few days and alot of hours to create my lecture(s). I feel as though the next instructor should put in equal amount of work to obtain his/her information. Although,I do not have a problem assisting other with short answer, I am not just going to hand over EVERTHING I worked on over to the next instructor..its a time and major investment deal.I can not give you the airline, but, I can give some information about building/creating your own.
Kathy, Sharing your materials is a great habit, even if others are not always willing to share their materials with you. I find that the more I give, the more I get, even from people who are at first not willing to share.
Dr. Melissa Read
That is a shame that the instructors are so possessive. I always share my materials and just recently a few of us that taught the same course got together to review and help each other so that we could give the best product to our students.it took time to go over the materials, but saved us time down the road, off to the printers and staight to the classroom from now on. Only have to review for updates once in awhile. Saves time and reduces stress.
