This is quite a difficult question to answer. But here are my experiences as a teacher.
Type of students:
Those who already know something about the subject and wants to learn more.
Those who already know something about the subject, but creates distraction purposefully by asking silly or unimportant questions during the lecture
Those who don't know about the subject, but eager to learn and are studious
Those who don't know about the subject, but not interested in learning.
One class of say, 60 students, it is a combination of the above categories. The first category may not be present in all the classes, but rest of the categories are always seen in all the classes.
For teachers who have joined as freshers:
It is a bit challenging for a new teacher to handle one ore more classes with given subjects. Sometimes, subjects may not be the part of interest area for the teacher. First and foremost qualities expected from a teacher is the passion to teach and love towards the topic / subject assigned. Why I underline is that I have seen so called teachers joining college or institution, just for the sake a job. If teaching is very poor, it creates frustration among the students. A good teacher must always be a friend, mentor and philosopher of students. This doesn't mean to have a sympathetic attitude by giving good grades and creating a sentimental approach towards the students. Those who work hard and smart shall be encouraged well.
In the initial stages, all teachers may not get the subject of interest. But it is important and necessary that the subject whatever is assigned is taught well. It is the stepping stone towards a good teaching career. Ideally, the preparation has to start at least before a month of commencement of classes by preparing the course plan, finding assignment questions, examination questions, etc. Firstly refer the books as per the syllabus because students might have already procured the books before the semester. Learn maximum from the referred texts and then the next best choice is the internet. Always try to gather best examples for all the concepts to be taught in the class. Getting example from web is very easy. Rely only on the .edu sites and lecture notes prepared by good professors of good universities / colleges. In the first class itself, it is better to show the course plan and as much as possible stick on to the plan.
Theory class and lecturing
It is essential that students should feel relaxed in the class rather than making them sitting like robots. Theory classes must always be interactive by asking questions so as to make the students think about the concept you are talking about. Questions must be from the teaching topics, related with a real time application which the students might already have come through their life. For example, any subject in computer science can be taught by citing examples in social networking, gadgets like tablets, smart phones, etc. This makes the student listen to what you talk and it creates interest on the subject taught. When the students answer, you come to know about the level of each student. Do not tease them if they don't answer or they answer wrongly. Because, if they don't answer or give a wrong answer, they haven't understood what is taught and then you have to come down to one more level to teach them. Asking questions and making them answer helps the students to come out of the shell of fear. Use chalk & talk to the maximum possible. Write legibly on the board. Clean the board before starting the class. Writing on the board without cleaning indicates your lack of interest in teaching and love for the subject. Use presentations in case if you want to explain an application to describe the concept. Body language is very important and walking in front of the board by explaining the topic keep the students alive in the class. If you wish to teach with a presentation, make it rich with images and reduce text as much as possible. Presentation must always be crisp. With the points listed in the presentation, explain them in your own words. I have seen some teachers just copy pasting the sentences in the text which looks too boring in the presentation.... to be continued in next post
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Encouraging students to ask questions
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