This is not least due to its committed authors. But how does someone get round to writing professional teaching materials? What does it take and what does the work look like? We looked into these questions and found out: In order to produce a great teaching aid, authors and publisher should meet as equals.
Among others, we asked Nicole Wespi – author of book series «MIA in der 3. Und 4. Klasse» and at hep Verlag since 2021 – as well as Günter Baars — author of teaching aids since 1993 and editor of diverse chemistry teaching materials, among them «Chemie für das Gymnasium» — for an interview.
Interview with Nicole Wespi:
How and why did you become an author of professional books for teachers?
In the context of my work as a lecturer at PH Zürich and as a former primary school teacher, I was given the opportunity to co-author teaching materials for media and information technology for 3rd and 4th grade students.
What do you like to remember about your time as an author at hep Verlag?
Firstly, the creative phases in which we invented stories, developed ideas and refined them with the illustrator and the project manager at hep. And I also like to remember the testing phase in the classroom. It was very nice to see how the students realized our planned activities with great engagement and enthusiasm. This was very helpful and also the reason for our testing phase: here and there it became apparent what needed to be adjusted.
Why would you recommend becoming an author of professional teaching materials?
Working on a book is exciting and very varied. I enjoyed being able to immerse myself in a project, to be creative with others and to still work in a structured and goal-orientated way. I’ve learned a lot about the processes and about what is feasible and what isn’t. And it is great to hold your own book in your hands at the end of a project. It also makes you a little proud.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
I would definitely work in a team. And project management is key. In the beginning, roles need to be clarified, processes must be defined, and tools and functions are to be established. Blocking bigger time slots also helps to not lose track and immerse oneself in the project. It is quite demanding to develop a professional teaching book alongside your day-to-day work. And the target group must be involved at an early stage, at least at selected points. Deadlines are also very important and help with not getting lost in the details – you could work on a teaching aid forever.
What do you wish hep Verlag for its anniversary and the years to come?
I wish the company many innovative and successful products in the future. I really value the competent and enjoyable cooperation with hep Verlag.
Interview with Günter Baars:
How and why did you become an author of professional books for teachers?
Even as a young chemistry teacher, I engaged intensely with various teaching materials and with the specialist literature on teaching chemistry. I was then able to publish my thoughts on the topic in “c+b”, the journal of the association of chemistry and biology teachers in Switzerland. When teaching, I first used the books of different authors. Finally, I wrote my own manuscript which was 370 pages long. Extensive discussions with well-known author and chemistry didactician Hans Rudolf Christen opened a wide field of interesting aspects of chemistry teaching. This cooperation prompted Hans Rudolf Christen to suggest me as a co-author of his books to Sauerländer, his publisher in Aarau. There, I was supervised by Peter Egger, who should later co-found hep Verlag. Hep Verlag took over the titles at Sauerländer, which I then revised. And more books followed.
What do you like to remember about your time as an author at hep?
The initial ideas, the gradual concretization and finally the detailed work are characterised by intensive discussions with colleagues. This process, the whole way to completion, is intensive, inspiring and therefore formative. The joy is of course great when you hold the bound book in your hands for the first time. And it is even bigger once you stand in front of a class that works with the book.
Why would you recommend becoming an author of professional teaching materials?
Before I make such a recommendation, I always start with a warning: Writing a teaching aid is extremely hard work. However, if there is already a concept being discussed that seems to be met with approval, I would encourage you to take the next step to become an author.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
There is a great deal of advice and tips that don’t have to be listed here. What is always an issue, though, is language, language, and language: You have to fight with it!
What do you wish hep Verlag for its anniversary and the years to come?
I have always experienced hep Verlag to be open to new ideas and concepts, combined with professional support. I wish for it to stay this way.
