Clad in a gray long sleeves and a black pants, with two books in my hand, I walked steadily while at the same time trying to calm down using the “take-a-deep-breath” technique. Just before I entered the class I could see my juniors waving hospitably at me at the corridor just outside the room.
Guess what happened when I was in the class? Did I smile or did I let out a word first? Okay, I smiled at them. Those familiar faces smiled back, while some expressed shockness when they saw me coming in. What came next was I did a little bit of introduction about myself and why I was in their class so as to clear those puzzled minds.
I was expecting to go through the two examples solved using stiffness method which I had prepared for this two-long-hour class. But it ended up that we finished everything 30 minutes earlier. Wow! I guess I must have been as fast as a bullet train.
Being a student I know that students always love it when their lecturers provide SIMPLE and CLEAR procedure or steps to solve analytical examples. So I laid the foundation of solving stiffness matrix for them. I listed the five steps which I used when I was an undergraduate. I told them that the first step is to identify the members and joints, fixed the origin, determining the known and unknown parameters, assembling all the member stiffness matrices into the structure stiffness matrix and lastly SOLVE it! Tada!
Since I had extra time, I showed them in order to solve the matrix one can use several methods but the one I preferred most is the Gaussian elimination method. This method is so powerful! When I asked if anyone of them still remember this method, most of them said yes but have totally forgotten the procedure. Well, it’s true. University students tends to put the old stuffs away and they only dig them back when they need them. To demonstrate my “keh kiang ness” I solved a 3×3 matrix in front of the class.
I gave them a 10 minutes break which according to some of them is the longest break they ever had. You see, according to the time table which I got I was supposed to be inside the class from 1000 to 1050, then continue teaching from 1100 to 1150. During the ten minutes break I asked for feedback from some of them because I am ever conscious.
Goodness Lord that they told me they understood what I was babbling in front for the first fifty minutes. They said they love the way I laid out the steps, just as I thought. Understanding the theory is important, solving problems using simple steps is equally important.
After the break, I furthered with another example. This time I wanted them to construct the 12×12 matrix which I will demonstrate how to solve this blardy huge matrix using Excel tomorrow.
Teaching is fun! I admit I had butterflies in my stomach last night. Everything went well today, thank God. One funny thing is, one of them addressed me as “Sir”. I just told him to call me Daniel or anything but “Sir” as I am not fit to be addressed as one, not at the moment.
There were questions from the floor but I managed to answer all of them, it was peanuts. Hehe.
Here you go, my first teaching experience. What about you? Do you have one?
PS: I am not a lecturer. The chance to teach in a class came because my supervisor is in the States attending conference.
10 comments ↓
When I was in my final year, my thesis required me to do some teching to test out my prototype on the second year mechanical engineering students.
But in australia teaching was rather fun, we (a team of crazy final year students) took turn to give lectures, but I have my own tutorial sessions every week. the first few weeks were rather stiff and awkward, but when they warmed up to me, it was quite a fulfilling experience. After all, we were all students that time so I could relate to them very well. they all thought I was a postgrad until I told them I was a 4th year student only on the final few weeks of the semester, you should have seen the shock on their faces aaaahahaha….
I was teaching visual communication btw, nothing as fancy as your stiffness matrix. but I coordinated the programme of the unit for the entire semester. very heavy experience, but worth every single moment of it.
Wahahaha, I have forgotten all structural stuff d. Glad that the students understand what you teach. =)
Hmmm, maybe I should propose to Dr. Johan to let me “assist” in his municipal solid waste classes?
LOL…
Congrats! U did well! My 1st time running a course for teachers, 2 hrs l finished in 1 hr, and they askd questions l couldnt answer. The Language officer said it was ok, soon 2 hrs not enough. True! Later, with experiences to share, l could talk and talk and talk… and crack jokes and laugh! They loved that! Keep it up, u’ll get better and better at it
Robin,
It’s actually good to have students giving tutorial lessons. But in Malaysia, we lack this. Not only students get to learn how to organize the lessons they can enhance their understanding as well (need to do homework beforehand). It’s over now. My supervisor will be back next week so let him continue with the rest of the chapters, Finite Element Method. Muahaha.
ColourfulWorld,
Structural is fun, really head-cracking at times. Go and let Dr. Johan know you want to experience teaching undergrads. I bet he’s more willing to do so. =)
suituapui,
Everyone has their first time. As Robin said, when the class and teacher started to warm up, learning can be fun and fulfilling. You not only talk and talk and talk but also comment and comment and comment. Wahaha. It’s over now, weewhh.. I can concentrate on my journals and research experiment.
I was a substitute teacher for 3 mths during my college semester break, teaching primary 4-5 English. Until now, all my friends can never believe I did what I did. To them I’m too much of menace to be teaching innocent minds.
I guess part of it is true since instead of asking kids to write normal topic essay like “My Holiday” or “My family”, I asked them to write me a 100 words of essay starting with this sentence: If I were a house lizard…
Hehehehehe I created a creative environment said the principal in which I translated as “Dont do that again and please think of a mundane yet normal topic next time”
I think it was fun to be a lecturer
Hi Daniel,
Good that you’ve joined the teaching profession - a job that nobody likes nowadays. The number of male teachers is declining rapidly actually.
Yes, lecturing can be very interesting, rewarding and challenging. On the other hand, you might get really annoyed and upset if you’ve uncooperative students, students who-think-they-know-all and a management team who makes you life horrible!
Nevertheless, the choice is yours… many young males who join the teaching profession go elsewhere in a few years.
Good Luck!
Kevin » Thanks for dropping by. I’ve not officially joined the teaching profession, it happened that I was just sitting in on behalf of my supervisor.
Just my thoughts, I think most males who joined the teaching profession later quit because they find it unchallenging in some ways (not getting higher pay/bonus). Teaching profession is challenging when it is about academic, getting more papers presented, getting research works recognized. Different field, different challenges.
Thanks again for dropping by.
Leave a Comment