Baltimore , Maryland
June 25, 2023
June 25, 2023
June 28, 2023
New Engineering Educators Division (NEE)
26
10.18260/1-2--44132
https://peer.asee.org/44132
312
Christine Masters is the Assistant Dean for Academic Support and Global Programs and a Teaching Professor in the Engineering Science and Mechanics Department at the Pennsylvania State University. In between raising 4 great kids with her husband of 35 years, she taught large enrollment statics and strength of materials courses for 12 years and has been leading the efforts focused on support, global engagement, and academic integrity as Assistant Dean since 2014.
Ibukun Samuel Osunbunmi is an Assistant Research Professor, and Assessment and Instructional Specialist at Pennsylvania State University. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Engineering Education from Utah State University. Also, he has BSc and MSc degrees in mechanical engineering. His research interests include student engagement, design thinking, learning environment, evidence-based pedagogy, e-learning, broadening participation in STEM education, sustainable energy, and material characterization.
Teaching is like riding a bike, right? A career in academia may involve a semester or even years away from the classroom as one pursues research or enters administration. Unlike a sabbatical where one may engage students while expanding relationships in industry or another university, returning to the classroom after or while in an administrator role has its own challenges and opportunities. This paper describes the experience of a veteran administrator’s recent return to the classroom after nearly a decade away and shared lessons learned that new educators might find valuable.
The author’s early academic career was focused almost entirely on teaching and advising. For more than a decade, each year they taught over a thousand students and supervised nearly a dozen graduate students to deliver the core 2nd year statics and mechanics of materials courses at a large public land-grant university. Even though the fundamental principles of mechanics didn’t change, the author would continuously update their course structure and activities based on improved understanding of effective pedagogy and student feedback, conducted learning outcome studies with my students, and regularly presented at ASEE on relevant teaching topics. And then in January 2014, the author moved into a full-time administrative role which focused on undergraduate student support and did not include teaching responsibilities. But the itch was always there, so in Fall 2022 the author volunteered, on top of their administrative responsibilities, to teach a 90-student section of mechanics of materials.
This paper will provide lessons learned, highlighting some teaching techniques that still work and others that fell flat, conveying class management advice, and tips on balancing priorities when teaching is not your only responsibility. The author’s hope in writing this paper is that these observations will provide at least a few nuggets of insight that new engineering faculty can use as they dive into this wonderful world of teaching.
Masters, C. B., & Osunbunmi, I. S. (2023, June), Return to the Teaching Trenches — Lessons Learned, and Lessons Relearned Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--44132
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