I believe that understanding yourself as an instructor and the different types of instructing techniques makes way for you to change your teaching techniques for different groups of students. If one technique isn't working for a particular group of students, knowledge of other types of teaching techniques could help to accommodate those students.
Hi Courtney:
Yes! Key words: Confidence. Listener. Understanding. These traits convey trust and assurance to students.
Regards, Barry
Everybody has strengths and weaknesses that they must understand of themselves. These characteristics become more present with the opportunities and challenges which arise during any given lesson. With a strong understanding of yourself as an instructor, speaker, and listener, the students will see the confidence that is delivered with each presentation.
Hi William:
You've stated some very wise (and tested) sentiments here William. Students will pick up on lack of confidence and many may try to exploit that weakness.
I often encourage new teachers to remember that they are seassoned veterans in their profession - even if they are new to teaching. That's the vision the instructor wants to convey to the class.
Regards, Barry
"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other"
I believe President Kennedy sums it up.
As an instructor you need to give guidence and knowledge too those who seek it. In order to perform this enormous task efficiently, you need to have confidence in yourself.
I remember early on in this career choice the first lesson I learned was do not let the student see your weakness, they will exploit it to the max. Believe me those first classes were a test in endurance for me, but I overcame it as I gained skill and confidence in my instructional abilities.
I had to learn I no longer was leading a shop of seasoned techs, but a classroom of unknowing students.
Hi Mark:
Interesting analogy (but so true!).
I like the adjective you used, "accent". We all have individual characteristics as instructors. Finding those that are uniquely our own ultimately prepares us to be better teachers. Well said.
Regards, Barry
There are so many different ways to present information. When it comes to instruction you need an understanding of yourself so that you can more effectively select a method that accents your style. There are too many instructors that blindly search for that breakthrough method that works for someone else only to find that it doesn't work for them and everyone suffers. You first have to search within to understand what will work for you. Then try it on. It's like bringing a shirt home without knowing your own size hoping it will fit. If you understand your own dimensions then you can find a method that fits those dimensions and actually be functional.
Hi James:
Well, you've really said it all, sort of. As you become comfortable with yourself as the facilitator and leader of your class, your students will pick up on that and tend to be more responsive to your leading. That doesn't mean you have to be autocratic or bossy, or militaristic. The more of "just you" you give your students, the more relaxed they will be to you and your personal style.
Regards, Barry
It would be impossible for me to teach a class without being able to use my personal style. In order for me to teach effectively, the material should be adapted to my experience and training. Without knowledge of myself, my students would be "short changed" in their learning experience.
Hi Richard:
Good! Your willingness to submit to self, student or peer evaluations is an indication that you realize you don't work in a vacuum and that others may be able to offer valuable insight into methods that contribute to you becoming a better or more effective instructor.
Regards, Barry
As instructors we periodically need to asses ourselves and our leadership style if we are to remain effective as instructional leaders to our students. I believe that an effective instructor is on that is a compilation of several of the types listed in the lesson. I myself have characteristics of the Zen, Socratic, Dead poet, and Drill sergeant. All dependant of what the situation and the students merit.It is easy to become stuck in any one of these styles. that is why it is so important for us to perform periodic evaaluations of ourselves.
Hi Patrick:
Yeah, you have to relate to your students if you want reach them with meaning and helpfulness. Getting you message across may require adjusting the tone, verbiage, usage, etc, depending on the group or individual you're dealing with. Students can leave with "blah, blah, blah" in their memory banks, or something significant they remember.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cindy:
Great! Stephen Covey (7 Habits, et al) says "seek first to understand, then be understood". You've got a terrific application and approach to reaching out to your students. Your students will appreciate that attribute even if they never mention anything about it.
Regards, Barry
I want to make sure that my style of communication fit all my students.
I think that understanding myself, my personality in the classroom helps me to better interrelate with all of my students, no matter what their background may be in order to open their minds to be receptive to what I'm teaching.
Hi Patrick:
You're right, we can't treat all students quite the same. If each student feels that you're interestyed in their success, they'll be more open to you as you try to reach them with needed course material.
Regards, Barry
knowing that each individual is different, it's important to know what style I have to be as efficient as possible as an instructor.
Hi Richard:
Another advantage to students is you are able to relate to their individual differences because you know where your perspective clearly lies.
Regards, Barry
By understanding your self, it makes thing easier to be understood by others. Understand how I deliver information to others help me with student questions and answers.
Hi Howard:
Good points. I would add to the list weaker areas I know I need to improve on. Getting that valuable insight can come from sitting in your peers classroom sessions and take notes about what you notice they're doing that you're not, that you feel in helpful.
You can also ask your peers to sit in your class and do the same thing, but add you'd like them to critique it (because you want to improve). This is a sometimes hard and humbling thing to do, but it works.
Regards, Barry
