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My university forced me into teaching training. It was all dry 'eduspeak' | Anonymous academic

I’d like to be a great lecturer, but I don’t think theory divorced from classroom context will make me one

Soon after I joined a UK-based university as a lecturer, I received an email inviting me to enrol on a year-long course on teaching and learning, which would purportedly enhance my skills as a teacher. I had taught for several years in another country, teaching mostly undergraduate students. I prefer to learn by doing and was happy honing my skills by building practical experience in the classroom. I had never heard any colleague voice the wish for formal teacher training, nor did I think it necessary. It turns out there was a reason for this.

To caveat: I absolutely believe in lifelong learning and professional development, and I’m always keen to be exposed to new ideas. Unfortunately the course that I followed, which is accredited by the Higher Education Academy, failed to deliver this. It wasn’t practical at all, but rather focused on theory and “eduspeak” that had little relevance to my everyday experience in the classroom.

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/2OROkRj

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