The current of the class is driven by the sway and swerve of student questions and interests that are smashed upon the rocks of my authoritative guesses at what they need to know related to the course content and in “real life.” In my head, now, as I write, I am picturing a snowball fight and I am vastly outnumbered, laughing, and focused on the goal. The class looks and feels kinda like that.
Since I have never actually “lectured” using linear slides, I have a hard time keeping on task. Usually, through student inquiry in class or demonstrations of activities, we find some path to wander down. Essentially, it is all improv, all the time. For me anyway.
I have oft said teaching is more of an art than a science. Well, usually I don’t say the “science” part, I just say, “teaching is an art.” To that end, I think that the media used, much like dance, incudes sounds, walls, floors, people, and some shared idea about what should happen. A shared idea even if a good part of the journey and the destination are dreamt up by the teacher. Of course, the best ones are created and shared by all involved.
And like dance, or like theatre, everyone has a part to play and as such, there is always room for change and it is always welcome.