So, I had to teach a discussion section this morning at 8:10, and it made me realize that I go through information very quickly. Also, I don’t like talking. All in all, I’m not a very good lecturer. I think the class lasted about 5 minutes, and even though it was only supposed to go 5 to 10 minutes, the bare minimum is not great.
Anyway, the most awkward part of teaching, as I discovered, is wrapping up the class. I told the class up front at the beginning that it was only going to be about 5 minutes long, so there shouldn’t have been any surprises there. When I was done talking, I didn’t really know how to express that they could go now, so I said something like “Okay. That’s it.” and shrugged. They kind of stared at me blankly, not knowing what to do. So I reiterated a few seconds later. “I’m done for today.” They still just sat there. Then one guy piped up and asked a question. Aha, questions! Question time is a traditional way of marking the end of the lecture. So I answered his question, then asked “Any other questions?”. When nobody had any, I just kind of turned around and started erasing the board, and I think that gave them the hint because then they left.
There’s still time to develop an indecipherable foreign accent. The students will never ask another question again.
Take more time to draw on the board. People like pictures, right?
If people don’t leave when you’re done, you can flick rubber bands at them or shoot them with a water gun. They’ll start moving then.
I KNOW JUST THE THING TO DRAW ON THAT BOARD