Leading a discussionmshonleSeptember 23 2006, 14:29:00 UTC
* Let them know you are a resource there to help them
* Introduce yourself and tell them a little bit about your background (what year you are, what program you're in, what's your area of research). Connect with them on a personal level.
* Not everyone will love you-- expect a couple of random people to have "issues" with you for no good reason. If you let it go, maybe over time you can win them over
* Prepare something to say related to their homeworks. Hopefully they'll be asking questions, but if not you should have something you could talk to them about. Give them time to answer "Are there any questions?"
* Never make a joke at a student's expense, even if you know "they can take it." It could intimidate the other students.
* Start by saying "OK, Let's begin." That gets them more quiet and ready than just saying "Hi" or just starting.
* If they seem to lose their attention give them a 2 minute break. If they are freshman (and new to everything) you can tell them to introduce themselves to their neighbors.
Re: Leading a discussionzialSeptember 23 2006, 17:26:31 UTC
thanks :) I know you probably have a lot of teaching experience so I really appreciate your commenting. It shouldn't be a big deal - it's just that there are SO MANY opportunities for making an ass of myself in this situation, that I know I'm bound to take at least a few of them.
Comments 3
* Introduce yourself and tell them a little bit about your background (what year you are, what program you're in, what's your area of research). Connect with them on a personal level.
* Not everyone will love you-- expect a couple of random people to have "issues" with you for no good reason. If you let it go, maybe over time you can win them over
* Prepare something to say related to their homeworks. Hopefully they'll be asking questions, but if not you should have something you could talk to them about. Give them time to answer "Are there any questions?"
* Never make a joke at a student's expense, even if you know "they can take it." It could intimidate the other students.
* Start by saying "OK, Let's begin." That gets them more quiet and ready than just saying "Hi" or just starting.
* If they seem to lose their attention give them a 2 minute break. If they are freshman (and new to everything) you can tell them to introduce themselves to their neighbors.
* Be prepared.
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I know you probably have a lot of teaching experience so I really appreciate your commenting.
It shouldn't be a big deal - it's just that there are SO MANY opportunities for making an ass of myself in this situation, that I know I'm bound to take at least a few of them.
Reply
I guess most important that I left off is: they need to feel that you care.
Also, they want to be on your side. They have no interest in seeing you fail.
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