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I was the only English-speaking TA (&, thus backup lecturer) to "Intro to C 101" at a major mass-population state university. Class sizes were ~800 students. I

I was the only English-speaking TA (&, thus backup lecturer) to "Intro to C 101" at a major mass-population state university. Class sizes were ~800 students. I had an open-doors/open-lab/open-office policy. By the 4th semester, I remember laying on the floor in front of the class, and yet another bro (blond hair; blue eyes; chiseled jawline; backwards cap) came up to ask me a, frankly, very well thought out question — and I just said "I know I've taught this to you, already". I had; I'd taught it to him & all his bros for years. What's the quote? "Every year I get older, but the junior devs stay the same age." That's when I knew I couldn't teach undergrads.

newsclues 5y ago
The trick to teaching the same thing over and over, is to use each time as a way to master and refine your understanding of the topic.
- thechao 5y ago
  I had 6 identical lab (secondary teaching) sessions per week, each 1 hour long. I handled lecture once a week, for two blocks of 400 students. It’s the equivalent of a decade teaching per school year.
  - lanstin 5y ago
    This note makes me again feel industry was the right choice for me. In industry, the value of people asking questions is you get a very accurate way to identify talented people - by which I don’t mean gifted people but people with the understanding, curiosity and confidence to drill thru a brick wall in the way of their goal with the subtle arts reasoning.
  - newsclues 5y ago
    With that kind of opportunity you can: Master your understanding of the topic. Master your ability to communicate the topic. Optimize your explanation to be thoroughly complete and time effective.
Aeolun 5y ago
> I remember laying on the floor in front of the class Is there a nuance to this I’m missing? If my professor suddenly decided to lie down in front of the class I would not casualy amble up and ask a question, I’d be more likely to call an ambulance or burst out laughing.
- thechao 5y ago
  I had a good rapport with the students; also, the AC was out & it was hot.

newsclues 5y ago

The trick to teaching the same thing over and over, is to use each time as a way to master and refine your understanding of the topic.

thechao 5y ago
I had 6 identical lab (secondary teaching) sessions per week, each 1 hour long. I handled lecture once a week, for two blocks of 400 students. It’s the equivalent of a decade teaching per school year.
- lanstin 5y ago
  This note makes me again feel industry was the right choice for me. In industry, the value of people asking questions is you get a very accurate way to identify talented people - by which I don’t mean gifted people but people with the understanding, curiosity and confidence to drill thru a brick wall in the way of their goal with the subtle arts reasoning.
- newsclues 5y ago
  With that kind of opportunity you can: Master your understanding of the topic. Master your ability to communicate the topic. Optimize your explanation to be thoroughly complete and time effective.

Aeolun 5y ago

> I remember laying on the floor in front of the class Is there a nuance to this I’m missing? If my professor suddenly decided to lie down in front of the class I would not casualy amble up and ask a question, I’d be more likely to call an ambulance or burst out laughing.

thechao 5y ago
I had a good rapport with the students; also, the AC was out & it was hot.