authoritarian pointers i have picked up

1. my classroom is not a democracy
2. act like you're paid to be there

Why we do this: we want people to believe that the front of the class is your rightful place. We want nervous students to feel assured that in your able hands, they will accomplish whatever targets they have set themselves out on the course.

the best thing you can do at the start of your class is to look at the blinds. if they are shut, get someone to open them. if they are open, get someone to shut them.

start off by dividing your board into 3 columns. before even starting, this tells everyone. "this is my board, and i know what i am going to do with it. i have a plan", even though you may not have one. use 4 different pen colours. anyone with 4 pens is impressive and worth their

don't dress like a student on your first lesson. keep up the lies, especially to those paying £12,000 a year

don't preface requests with "could we please", like "could we please turn to the board." say "now, let's look at the board". likewise, if you want a response, name + question, and not question to the general spirit in the air dwelling in the classroom.

when passing a question over for unmoderated group discussion, first start to look busy. this is their cue that they can no longer look to you for answers. then walk around to assert authority and keep an eye on what they are doing.

speaking without notes is impressive. so is laying out the entire course in context.

easier to go from authority to conviviality than vice versa.