Want teaching experience, but haven’t yet had the chance? About to interview for a job that includes a mock-teaching portion? Preparing to teach a new lesson and you’re a bit unsure about your format? Consider planning a microteaching event for the graduate students and professors in your department. Microteaching events are practice teaching sessions in which presenters give a short and interactive lesson to a group of peers and receive detailed feedback on their performance.
How can you plan an event? Easy! Gather some interested participants and tell them to plan a 5-10 minute lesson on a topic of their choice in order to practice their teaching skills and gain feedback. During the event, encourage participants to write feedback for the presenter – tell them to focus on teaching style, rather than on content! (So… rather than suggesting someone use a different citation, suggest someone write student responses on the board for easier retention.) Your group can even videotape one another presenting, so that the “teacher” can view themselves in action. Microteaching events provide a way for students and faculty to practice new teaching techniques, as well as learn from one another.
Still need more guidance on how to start a microteaching event or just want to watch one in action first? CITL is holding a microteaching event for graduate students on September 28th. You can find more information and sign up here.
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