teaching = learning

Teaching has lead to a severe reduction of doing research because it consumes the entire morning four days a week. I did not expect to be spending so much time each day grading homework, exams and preparing for lecture. preparing lecture requires coordinating reading objectives with lab demonstrations and exercises. In addition, this is in Inquiry course so the learning is supposed to be student centered and discussions are based on their participation. My job, is to direct their participation so that they can use what they learned in their reading with the lab demonstrations to arrive at major objectives. This is easier said than done. For the most part, i have done what i think to be an adequate job at keeping this course inquiry based. At times i have accidentally undermined the inquiry process by dropping hints or jumping to the "punch line". Doing this reveals the lessons "secret" or "suspense"and the students are liable to trun their brains off after this happens. It is nearly impossible to keep the class engaged after you drop the punch line prematurely. Knowing how to prevent this from happening takes practice and preparation.