Teaching Artist?

You might wonder how a librarian can call themselves a teaching artist?  Well, I’ve signed up to a short credit-rated course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – evening classes from February to May 2014.  I figured that some training in teaching techniques would be useful, since I occasionally lecture, instruct students in library, bibliographic and research skills, and moreover direct a church choir, which is also teaching of a different kind.  My aspiration is to encourage students’ creativity in the library and in their studying generally, and learning in a group of ‘teaching artists’ means I’m learning about teaching creative performers.  What could be more natural or logical?  I was lucky enough to get an ArtWorks Scotland bursary to assist with fees – this pleased me very much, as you can imagine.

This is a cut-down version of the Post Graduate Teaching Certificate in Higher Education (also called the Teaching Artist), but for now I’m content to be doing the shorter version. It’s introducing ways of using digital technology in teaching performers, and also the value of reflection in teaching.  All thoroughly worthwhile!