Dislike the curriculum
As an English instructor, if I do not find myself very engaged in the readings I can assign, I have a hard time staying motivated to teach well. I get bored and bummed out. However, if I feel the structure and/or content of a reading can teach the students something, even if they dislike the reading, I do a much better job. Being forced to use readings/a textbook I don't like always causes internal conflict and stress.
Yes, standard curricula are great starting points Diane but the best instructors build off of them. Taking time to fill in the gaps each semester - especially as your industry changes - is key to student success.
It can be challenging to teach from a standard curriculum that you do not like. What I find helpful to keep from being stressed by this is to incorporate as much FYI material to help "fill" in the areas that seem to be missing from the disliked curriculum.
I am also teaching English, but do not even have a reader to work with (in the sense of readings/essays to discuss as a class.) I need to find some outside essays to bring for discussion, but I wish there was a book already selected for this purpose.
Learning about the common challenges of other instructors, as well as their unique solutions to these challenges, helps me in my own work.
I agree, sometimes it is hard to teach with a curriculm tht someone else has developed. they do not know your train of thought or your teaching styles. Sometimes it is easier to just shoot from the hip and teach it your way.
Thanks for your perspective Joshula. Yes, there are many ways to learn and many good sources of information when you keep your mind open.
I am of the belief that no matter what the readings, or the assigned material, there is something that can be taught from it, and it can be engageing. It depends on how you frame it, even bad readings can be learned from. In fact I think more can be learned from bad examples than from good. Writings can point out what not to look for/do. Stimulation can come from everywhere, think outside the box, add challenge.
Contest, scavenger hunt, book crossword puzzle, etc.
Thanks for your feedback Catherine! We do offer some suggested readings at the end of this course. And we absolutely welcome you to expand on your knowledge with additional readings. I find some of the best reading material to be student contributions in this forum. Learning about the common challenges of other instructors, as well as their unique solutions to these challenges, helps me in my own work.
are you able to bring in some of the readings you do like? it would also be productive if you could allow students to bring in readings they would like to further explore.
