1st Edition

Becoming a New Instructor A Guide for College Adjuncts and Graduate Students

By Erika Falk Copyright 2012
    168 Pages
    by Routledge

    168 Pages
    by Routledge

    Becoming a New Instructor guides new instructors through the planning, preparation, and execution of their first class, whether it is in person or online. Like any good mentor, this book provides clear, simple instructions and makes best-practice recommendations. Becoming a New Instructor provides a step-by-step guide to writing a syllabus, a simple explanation for how to calculate grades, and many additional suggestions from an experienced teacher about how to run a class. Chronologically arranged from conceptualizing the class through putting together the syllabus, planning in-class time, running the class, and assigning grades, this book will answer any new instructors’ questions. Adjuncts and graduate students charged with teaching a college course will find this succinct guide invaluable.


    Special Features Include:

    • An entire chapter on teaching online, plus "Concerns Specific to Online Instructors" throughout that connect chapter content to online teaching and CMS platforms
    • Examples of best practice, checklists, sample assignments, syllabi, and rubrics that guide readers in creating materials for their own courses
    • Guidance specific to the needs of adjuncts and graduate students teaching a course for the first time.

    Table of Contents

    STEP 1: CONCEPTUALIZING THE CLASS

    STEP 2: CREATING GRADED ASSIGNMENTS

    STEP 3: PUTTING TOGETHER THE SYLLABUS

    STEP 4: PLANNING IN-CLASS TIME

    STEP 5: RUNNING YOUR CLASS

    STEP 6: GRADING

    STEP 7: INTERACTING WITH STUDENTS

    STEP 8: TAKING YOUR COURSE ONLINE

    Biography

    Erika Falk is the Program Director of the Master of Arts Degree in Communication at Johns Hopkins University

    "An invaluable tool for all new adjunct instructors -- and many experienced instructors will find wisdom here, as well. Backed up by educational research and her own experience, Falk clearly and directly shows novice instructors how to succeed in the difficult task of leading today's college classroom."

    --Vincent Kiernan, Associate Dean of the School of Continuing Studies, Georgetown University

    "This book should be on the shelf of every new instructor. Falk’s writing is clear and direct, and her directions and suggestions are immediately applicable in the classroom –and they work. This is an essential resource that will be returned to time and time again."

    -- Tracey Holden, Assistant Professor of Communication, the University of Delaware