New lectures written: 2
Lectures still to write for next term: 15
Feelings about new term: excited but scared too!
While many academics are still enjoying their summer holidays, my attention is turning to teaching. Because I’m starting a new job in September, this first year is going to be a steep learning curve. Not only will I be familiarizing myself with new surroundings and procedures, but also I have to write lots of new material for the courses I’ll be teaching. So…like a sensible lecturer I am trying to get ahead by preparing the first few now, rather than have to research and write them all week by week as I am going along. It’s really important to get as much teaching experience as possible I reckon, so that when you are lucky enough to get hired, you do not feel too frightened by the prospect!
Lecturers often get quite a lot of autonomy to teach the subjects they want to. So if you are not sure how to design your own course, or plan an assessment schedule, then I would have a word with your current department and ask if it is possible to do that for them. Lots of universities now offer their staff development packages in which they can learn these sorts of skills, so it is vital to take advantage of this sort of thing. I’ll write more in the coming months about the training and skills assistance I am offered in my new role.
I started teaching in the second year of my PhD and have taught every academic year since. On occasion I have only had one seminar group to look after throughout the year, on others I have felt almost as busy as a full time staff member. I’d definitely recommend teaching as soon as you are offered it. And also, if possible, get experience teaching at a different university or college too, as breadth of experience is as important as depth. It’ll show that you are adaptable too…all of which is great for the CV!
Do you think universities do enough to train their postgraduate teachers? What support and skills training are you offered as a university lecturer? What tips do you have to help jobseekers get the best out of their teaching experience?
