Ha! I feel like this when I teach seniors!
Teaching Graduate Students - ProfHacker.com: "But often students would ask questions that I just wasn’t ready for (“What is the relationship between rhetoric and poetry today?”). They were usually interesting questions, but I had no idea how to answer them. Sometimes I could have the class discuss them or could encourage the student to research that topic, but not being able to simply answer made me feel as though I didn’t have the authority I wanted or needed. I felt like I looked unprepared, and that perception bothered me. Logically I know that I can’t know everything, but in these moments of insecurity, it’s the feeling that nags at me.
I’ve started to combat these feelings in a number of ways. First, I’ve been up-front with students about how huge the field is, where I’m most comfortable and knowledgeable, and where I’m not as well informed as I’d like to be. I’ve revealed my desire to know everything, or at least to look like I know everything, and talked about how unrealistic—and even damaging—that expectation is for all involved. Two simple routines have also helped me feel more confident in this course:"
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