You said it!!! Mty effectiveness drops way down when I ahve not put the time into rehersal. It is an uncomfortable feeling. Fortunately I have a fairly long commute on my way to work and I have a lot of time to organize my thoughts and even practice delivery. One of the things that helps me is to visit other instructors and get some tips and also welcome them to visit my class to evaluate me. It took me a few years to get comfortable to present in front of my peers. I compare it to a golf swing, the more you practice it correctly the more automatic it becomes. Thinking it through has always worked for me. If I can envision it I can make it happen.
Hi Wendy:
It's interesting you mention shyness, as I think many graet teachers share that trait, but are able to excel in their classrooms based on their professional skills or experience. Being willing to be open to annoymous comments from students really takes courage, and I'd add adds character to those willing to adapt to perceived needed changes.
Regards, Barry
Hi Justin:
Boy, I agree, especially about the passion. And like individual members of that orchestra, theres rehersal required, i.e. our daily preparation, delivey, evaluation, and adjustment or adaptation to better teach the lesson.
Regards, Barry
Hi Fortuna:
Super! A good sense of humor appropriately and consistently used around student atmosphere can create latent benefits to students and teachers alike. I think it helps foster good student/teacher relationships which ultimately can result in better student outcomes.
Regards, Barry
I understand that I must know myself, more importantly, trust myself. I am fully aware of my weaknesses. Shyness being a big one but I am able to fake it.
Since my job is to teach a skill in the medical field, I have to engage my students and make them into conifident professionals. If I don't trust me, I cannot possibly expect my students to trust me. They have to trust my judgement and guidance to gain the knowledge to do their future jobs.
I am very fortunate to have been in the field for a very long time and I love what I do. With that passion I am able to "infect" my students with some of the same passion. One of the excercises that we do is a quick essay comparing their confidence and comfort level at the beginning of the course to the way they feel at the end. The difference is amazing.
At the end of the course, I have the students fill out instructor/course evaluations. They are anonomous so the students are not afraid to be honest. These evaluations help me make changes where needed.
The term life long learner comes up often and as instructors we are truly life long learners. Understanding ourselves in this way enables us to exhibit the traits of instructional leader. We are students and we should realize what and how we like to learn. I really like the analogy of the educational orchestra. You have to be a great musician and understand everything abotu the music to be able to coduct it to it's intended potential. Not always an easy task. Passion is definately the key. Not just passion for the subject but passion to share all you can with the students. We are previledged.
I think that basically instructors need to have an outgoing personality and a sense of humor to be able to make for an engaging instructional atmosphere. I have found that in my experience my best instructors were demanding but also had fabulous communicative skills and a good sense of humor. Knowing yourself and constantly working on improving makes a better communicator and thus a better teacher.
Hi Blake:
True - adult learners are different and better teachers try to understand their differences from say, younger adults. Life experience have taught older workers responsibility, accountability and cooperation, skills that some other groups are often missing.
Regards, Barry
Hi Maureen:
Good! Establishing positive relationships at the outset is very helpful. Conveying your confidence also sets the tone for you and your class expectations.
Regards, Barry
If an instructor has not conducted a self-assessment, they restrict their ability to provide the students with the best instructional leadership possible. In the field of teaching adult learners, an instructor can’t use the same techniques as they might with other groups.
I find working with an older and experienced student base, that I must use a variety of “Leadership Styles” to; motivate, direct, and even leverage them to attain the course objectives. And some of these styles I am very suited for and some are much more challenging for me to fulfill.
Being aware of those differences comes from a true understanding of my personal strengths and weaknesses.
Understanding my strengths and weaknesses has always helped me in the classroom/lab. I am very people friendly; so I have never had a problem with relating to students.
Being confident in my course knowledge is a powerful tool for being an instructional leader.
The only thing that I have to consistently work on is timeliness; getting tasks done within the allotted time frame sometimes is very challenging.
Hi Beth:
I think being real is always a better choice when interacting with students. You're right, they can tell. And I think if they feel their teacher is being sincere and honest, that'll create a more positive learning environment.
Regards, Barry
Hi Teri:
Very telling and personal insight. Thank you for sharing.
Regards, Barry
I think if you have a realistic view of yourself, the students will see as well.
The human side is the most important for adult learners.
My desire as an instructor is to inspire my students to be all they can be. In the process of self-growth we are all given many opportunities to discover our unique possibilities and I encourage my students to reach within to find that person for themselves.
If I have not done the work both as an instructor and as a person they would see me as a fake and all my efforts would be moot.
Whether I am teaching Anatomy & Physiology or Basic practical skills I first must be true to myself and I can't do that if I don't understand myself.
Hi Jeff:
I agree and believe we all can benefit from what I call on-course correction. Since we don't eyes that see how others see us, we need to be dependent and trusting of peers and even student comments to give us insight. If we are humble and really want to improve there is usually something we learn we can improve upon.
Regards, Barry
Hi Kelly:
Good thoughts! I think teachers are more confident and more helpful to students when they arte operating from a platform of comfort and knowledge. Weaker areas get strengthened when the teacher has the confidence to do things differently, even by trial and error. That's how they'll learn what works and why.
Regards, Barry
If I understand myself, I can work on improving my delivery of subject matter.
If you understand yourself, you can instruct the class better based on your strengths. Knowing your limitations and where you need to improve will add strength to your instruction over time also.
Hi Alejandro:
Since we are usually employed because of our professional skill, expertise, or experience, it should be our job to get the students aligned with the professional standards which, in most cases, should be aligned with the schools mission. It is understandable that sometimes school policiy or practices may create some challenges for instructors - balancing the expectations of their employer vs. doing what is SOP for a given profession. But creative instructors can usually find that balance, if thats the case.
Regards, Barry
