Microteaching

2 microteaching sessions has passed so far, and the next one will be me and Eu Khim. Let me just pen down some thoughts before I'm slaughtered and slain.

1) There's no use being too entirely hung up about content knowledge, but being unprepared to tackle and handle impromptu questions and situations that may arise. This really shows how teaching is a skill, a very deep skill that needs honing over the years with experience. It is a multivariate skill that demands competence not just in content knowledge, but also in lesson delivery, questioning dexterity, quick feet, sharp eyes and a thinking head. Yes, we as students were particularly difficult at times, playacting as really hyperactive kids ('I'm a fairy?!?!'), but seriously, there are a thousand and one scenarios in the classroom that we cannot expect and prepare for enough. How do we engage a class of 40, of varying concentration and abilities, yet at the same time achieve practical objectives? No wonder lesson planning is so hard. Wanna talk about lesson objectives and learning outcomes? You can plan the most elaborate of lessons with the deepest of considerations and the most comprehensive of content coverage, but you'll never know what will happen. Over the last 2 microteaching sessions, we've seen how students got distracted by pineapples and Hawaiian babes rather than climate, and how students got so disturbed by hot/cold wet/dry deserts… Teaching really asks for a connection with the students and an understanding and ability to cater to their varying and unpredictable needs. Not easy. So to the 2 teams who’s passed through the micro-teaching ordeal - well done!

2) A paucity in content knowledge is a big nono too, as the students lose respect and attention for the teacher really easily in such circumstances. Imagine if a student asks you about Rossby waves during climate class? Can you handle that? I didn't know exactly know how to answer the hot/cold dry/wet desert question too during Edwin's lesson. In such circumstances, I feel it is dangerous to 'smoke'. Students aren't dumb. At the same time, sweeping their queries under the carpet will result in similar consequences. So what I'd do? Well, if I really cannot address the questions there and then, I'd tell them I'd get back to you. And pretty darn certainly make sure I do.. :)

Well, so here I am, sitting pretty in the library, trying to work on my content knowledge of my micro-teaching topic on Thursday, whilst at the same time cracking my head to think of helpful lesson delivery methods. Trying to envisage how the lesson would be, and imagining the questions that may come up. Running through in my head the type of questions I may pose, and how to follow up with more probing questions should I meet with blank faces. It is always good to be prepared, psychologically, mentally, and with the right arsenal of resources, content knowledge and questions to pose. A good exercise to go through before every lesson we will teach, especially when we first start out.

But right now, I need to prepare especially hard. 'Especially' for I'm paired in micro-teaching with the notorious Mr Eu Khim. Its gonna be fun. Real fun.