Some Learning from Teaching

Greetings again. I’m preparing this blog post early, because this weekend I’ll be away from the computer to attend a wedding.

My summer-school teaching will end soon. For me, teaching is an excellent way to learn: It spurs me to obtain new information. And it requires me to understand the information well enough to share it with others.

This summer, in seeking readings for a course on teaching science journalism, I found (and learned from) some excellent materials available online. Here are a few that might interest AuthorAID members:

• Online Course in Science Journalism: This online course is from the World Federation of Science Journalists. It is posted in 6 languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
• European Guide to Science Journalism Training: This guide describes opportunities to obtain science-journalism training in Europe. Information on science-communication courses and programs in the United States can be accessed from another directory.
• Punctuation, Grammar, Style, & Usage: Twelve Guidelines: This handout comes from the Texas A&M University Writing Center. This writing center and others also have other helpful resources online.
• How to Enhance Learning by Using High-Stakes and Low-Stakes Writing: This chapter presents good advice on using writing assignments to help students learn.
• Preparing a Teaching Portfolio: This guide explains how to compile a set of material that helps show one’s achievements in teaching.

I hope that these resources are useful to many of you.

Wishing you a good weekend—

Barbara