Observation (term 1): A Lecture with a Story

Teaching Observation 1

Interesting and informative lectures with a story (using LOs and PCK)

Teaching always provides a learning opportunity, for both the student and the instructor. And the observer. Being in a classroom in each of those roles is a very valuable experience for an aspiring teacher.

Over the last year, while attending my mentor classes as a TA for that course, I’ve always thought of his lectures as very interesting and informative with a lot of fascinating facts and data, and new ideas and perspectives of looking at things. Although the lectures were conducted in the typical instructor-centered style, they were still fun and engaging complemented with stories from instructor’s personal life and introducing current news pieces as part of the narrative. With over 100 mostly first-year students in the lecture hall, that seemed appropriate and engaging enough. Recently, I have attended another one of his lectures, for a third-year course this time, with about 80 students in the room.

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