There are free learning materials provided by MIT - they are fun to follow and as you progress, you gain knowledge of not just how to develop Apps but how to code them to a high standard - It's actually a bit more demanding than programming for a PC because most Android devices are small smartphones with only a small amount of memory available.
Visit my site for links to the free tutorials, books etc. You will also find tips, tricks and working code snippets.
Concerning your Teacher - I know many who have been "thrown in at the deep end", being expected to teach a subject that they have little knowledge of. That is not their fault, but sometimes it can actually be the start of something great, because Teacher and students are learning together :)