My understanding of teaching has changed as a result of my experience in LIBR 250 this semester. Prior to this exposure, I believed that the education that you received to be a teacher was straight forward and pragmatic (teaching as a science). In my mind, I equated it with the preparation that one would take to be an accountant (learning in the classroom, some direct experience in the field, and then certification by means of the CPA exam).
I now lean more towards teaching as an art. Teaching is more nuanced than I ever imagined, and because of this is more of an art than a science. Teaching is a remarkably creative process, and is highly dependent on motivating others. These two elements--creativity and motivating others--lead more to art than science. By saying this, I do not mean to discount the research studies contained in the textbooks that we used this semester (Wiggins & McTighe, Bruce, and Orellana) that demonstrate successful teaching. As a foundation, you can learn to teach but it requires more than that to be successful. In the end, teaching is different learning paradigms and theories and can not be narrowed down to a simple check list.
Becoming an effective teacher is not a one-off process, but rather is continually on-going. I think it requires the ability to not remain static, to recalibrate when something is not working, self reflection, embrace a culture of risk-taking, and a determination to not make the process about yourself (teacher) but to remain learner-centered.
