I have, this fall semester, the exciting opportunity of becoming part-time/adjunct faculty at the University of Dayton’s Department of Visual Arts. For one class, two afternoons a week, I will be teaching a Computer applications-design class. I am very excited and a bit nervous at the same time. It’s my first time teaching, and at a college no less. This ‘fear’ is to be expected right? I do have a bit of experience in teaching a few lessons here and there, to teenagers in a youth group for which I volunteer, but this will be new to me.
I do believe talking and working with my youth group kids has given me decent experience talking in front of people, maybe even toughened my skin a bit, seeing as how—well, you know how teenagers can be! I trust that college students are bit more focused. Lets hope I’m right!
All jitterbugs aside I am very excited to be teaching about four of my industry’s design programs of which I’m very passionate. In this class I will be covering the basics and essentials of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and just a touch of Dreamweaver.
I have already started to go over my lesson plan/structure, and can tell you right now I have to continually remind myself about keeping it to basics. There is just SO MUCH! I wish I had time to share it all with them.
Those of us who know these programs are probably already raising an eyebrow, or both, at the idea of covering the four of these programs in one class/semester. I will definitely be sticking to the basics, but know I’ll find time to share a trick or two along the way. My goal is to give them a good foundation on the interface, tools and palettes, along with decent knowledge of select essential features for each program.
Classes start August 26th. Wish me luck!
