Update on Teaching and Other Things

Thanks so much for the comments on my last post about teaching. I didn't want to remind myself what I felt, so I didn't read over it again. The worst of the teaching critiques seemed to come from one student in one of my periods. I think I know who the student is, and I've spoken to him numerous times outside of class. He was really displeased about the changes that have been made to the course, and I think he was feeling helpless to improve his grade. His grade has definitely dipped since midterms, and he has a surly attitude in class, playing on the internet and refraining from participating in group work. Students here are required to come to class, otherwise he wouldn't be attending class anymore. He's the only student who has been behaving this way; the others are still trying to do well in the class.

I had a conversation with another instructor who started out using PowerPoint and found that her students weren't paying attention. When she shifted to a discussion-based format, she said the students had an easier time staying awake, were more engaged, and gave longer answers to her questions. I sat in on her class, and decided I would try some other teaching techniques instead of PowerPoint. It was really hard to move away from PowerPoint because I feel safe when I use it. I can follow a set plan for the class, and be sure to cover what I wanted to cover. But, since I moved away from PowerPoint, the students have been more engaged, and I've been feeling like I don't need to rely on PowerPoint. I've also endorsed the idea that I don't need to cover all the material in class. They can get everything they need from reading since the tests are entirely based on the text. I can do activities in class that focus more deeply on fewer content items. I'm feeling much better about this approach. I've started to feel like I have control over my teaching and that it's not a helpless situation.

In other news, my sister is going to see a mental health professional today to be evaluated for Panic Disorder. When I was talking to her on the phone, she was really freaked out. She was afraid to see the doctor and afraid that her condition might be permanent. She and I both have tendencies towards anxiety and shyness, as have our older siblings. We're thinking there must be a genetic predisposition for anxiety in our family. But, not until a few months before her wedding did she start showing symptoms consistent with panic attacks. Her in-laws made a big deal about the wedding and forced their desires for the wedding upon her. She got ill with persistent cold and/or flu, and that's when the panic attacks started showing up. I am really sad for her, but I'm glad she's seeking help. I really wish I could be there for her. I want to go with her to see her therapist, and I want to observe the therapy to check it's effectiveness. I want to talk to the therapist and give suggestions because I know my sister so much better than the therapist. I just hope everything will be okay.