{"product_id":"becoming-a-new-instructor-practical-guide-for-first-time-teachers","title":"Becoming a New Instructor - Practical Guide for First-Time Teachers","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Becoming a New Instructor, the bottom line is simple: this short guide is aimed squarely at instructors preparing to teach their first college course and delivers a clear, practical roadmap for planning and running classes. Erika Falk writes in a mentor-like voice, and the book's biggest strength is its step-by-step approach to syllabus writing, grade calculation, and day-to-day class management; new instructors will find concrete, usable advice rather than abstract theory. If you want straightforward, actionable guidance for your first term, this book earns a close look.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChronological structure:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book follows the teaching process from conceptualizing a course through assigning grades, which helps readers progress without skipping essential steps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSyllabus guidance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provides a step-by-step method for writing a syllabus so instructors can create a clear course roadmap and set expectations early.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrade calculation explained:\u003c\/strong\u003e Includes a simple explanation of how to calculate grades so new instructors can adopt consistent, defensible grading practices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClassroom planning tips:\u003c\/strong\u003e Offers practical suggestions for planning in-class time to keep sessions focused and pedagogically sound.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePractical classroom advice:\u003c\/strong\u003e Draws on the author's experience to offer pragmatic recommendations for running both in-person and online classes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecoming a New Instructor is best for adjuncts, graduate student instructors, and anyone teaching a college course for the first time who needs a compact, actionable handbook rather than an academic treatise. It is particularly useful for instructors who value concrete examples and a chronological checklist they can follow while preparing a syllabus and class schedule.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book is less suited to experienced faculty looking for advanced pedagogy, classroom research, or in-depth theory of learning; for those readers, a more comprehensive textbook on instructional design would be a better fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConcise, mentor-like guidance makes the process of planning your first course less intimidating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear, stepwise syllabus instructions save time and reduce uncertainty about course structure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSimple grade calculation guidance helps ensure fairness and consistency from the first term.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdvice covers both in-person and online formats, increasing the book's practical relevance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe book is intentionally succinct, so readers wanting deep theoretical background or extensive examples may find it brief.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBecoming a New Instructor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\/Brand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eErika Falk\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanning, preparation, and execution of a first class\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGuidance for both in-person and online classes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey contents\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSyllabus writing, grade calculation, class planning, running class\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdjuncts and graduate students teaching college courses\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecoming a New Instructor is a compact, practical handbook that delivers exactly what new college instructors need: clear steps for syllabus creation, straightforward grade calculations, and practical classroom tips. It represents good value for first-time teachers who want an approachable mentor-style guide to carry them through their first term.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book cover online teaching?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The guidance explicitly addresses running both in-person and online classes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this help with grading policies?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The book includes a simple explanation of how to calculate grades and recommendations for consistent grading.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book suitable for experienced professors?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is aimed at new instructors; experienced professors may find it too concise if they want deep pedagogical theory.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erika Falk","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48262543409371,"sku":"041580745X","price":173.62,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51OTC9ox0tL._SL1360.jpg?v=1778287727","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/becoming-a-new-instructor-practical-guide-for-first-time-teachers","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}