I have now been asked this on several different occasions and in several different contexts. Most recently I was asked this during a position interview. And my response is the same. Teaching requires a teacher to be aware that there are many ways to teach and learners learn in a bunch of different ways. I have had only minimal pedegogical theory classes (if I am even using that terminology correctly), but what I have learned is that the one class I took stood me in good stead and the rest could have been learned better by doing and by watching another teacher. Be prepared to pitch the same lesson in at least three different ways; handouts, hands on, lecture. And, of course, a mix and match of that is great to have too.

 

At the end of that you have to measure your succss at getting things into students heads and hands. That is why success at very small increments is better than marginal development across huge subjects (in my opinion). I am also not averse to testing. I think tests are great and should be utilized (though the testing environment need not be some draconian/orwellian nightmare of pressure and sweat).

 

So - How do I teach? I teach by knowing my subject super well, being accepting and aware of how different people learn, being conscious of what and who I am teaching on that day and in that moment, And I always leave room for smaller tests and silly anecdotes that tie the materials together (well, most always!).