Mark,
Yes, being able to relate to all our students is definitely a skill and a worthwhile effort. When students feel we are approachable, they are more willing to ask questions, seek help, or come to us for other personal needs (school related or even personal needs or concerns).
Barry Westling
Our students come from a variety of different social, economic, and educational backgrounds. My own personality plays a significant role in my instructionsl style. In order to become an instructional leader, I must be able to adjust my style to achieve the maximum benefit for my students.
Melvin,
Self awareness also contriubutes positively to an insrtructor's confident, which in turn creates credibility and trust.
Barry Westling
It is important to understand yourself as an instructional leader because then the students will understand you.
George,
Confidence and competence go together. Students seem to sense when an instructor is competent about their instructor's ability to instruct.
Barry Westling
You cant pretend to be a welder instructor, having the knowledge of all the welding methods and the skills are a part of knowing yourself. I have the confidence to walk in a booth with a student and deliver what ever he she will need. Without the skill set it is nearly impossible to convey that particular element of a weld technique.
Kristen,
It's true, Sometimes instructors need to ponder why and where their students are coming from, or try harder to see the students perspective. But the more we know, the better we're able to help by offering assistance that's beneficial.
Barry Westling
I find myself doing this, also. It helps me to understand what they like and what they dont like. They aren't always the quickest to tell me if there's a problem.
Candace,
I get a lot of benefit by doing classroom observations, even if it's instructors I don't supervise. I'm amazed that after many, many years of instruction, I still pick up simple and/or useful tips about what makes a good class run smoother, or some technique I hadn't thought about.
Barry Westling
Candace,
Modifying our plans can be a version of student-centered instruction, where rather than forcing my way of thinking onto my students, I try to understand where they are coming from, and reach out to them on their level. This is more difficult with larger classes. Yet having a willingness to slow down a bit if needed is better if the result is improved student understanding.
Barry Westling
Candace,
Yeah, we all have a self-perception that guides us, made up in part from how we view ourselves, how we perceive our students view, and how our students really perceive us. Striving to be our best will never be an undesirable characteristic, so that's one thing I can do to be effective at least to the degree I can control it.
Barry Westling
I have learned a great deal from watching my peers. I am an auditory learner, so it is helpful for me to hear my peers review the content.
I agree we should have a good handle on how we present to our students. Sometimes our approach may now work as planned and we have to change our format to be more effective. Being an effective educator includes being an effective student
Understanding myself and realizing my strengths and weaknesses help me identify my best approach in the classroom. I also can get a clearer picture of how I am perceived by my students
Kanidrus ,
A good example is an athelete preparing for a competition. Knowing his/her areas where they are strong still requires focus. Also, ares they know they're weaker may require extra attention. With understanding, the athelete can use their personal self knowledge to emerge a winner. So it is with instructors who work to ready themselves for their classes based on an understanding of personal awareness.
Barry Westling
It is important to understand yourself as an instuctor for it allows to identify your strengts and weaknesses. It also allows the instructor to relate to their students.
Kanidrus
Jacquvalon,
Trust and respect are rarely assumed sentiments given to instructors these days. Most times, students are neutral until they realize their instructor is there to help them, listens, is fair, shows patience, and conveys enthusiasm towards the class and it's contents.
Barry Westling
I agree with yur assessment. I also believe that knowing your stregths and weaknesses helps you in being able to deliver the information to the students effectively while also keeping you in a positive light. If the student feels that you have a grasp onthe information and theat you can explain it to them properly, I feel thatthere is a certainamount of respect for the instructor that comes form that.
Gail,
Great! It's nice when we have a good, reality-based perception of our strengths and weaker areas. I agree that through subjecting oneself to classroom observations by others, and sitting on others classes, one can learn a lot about themselves as well as pick up ideas that seem to make sense.
Barry Westling
My teaching experience extends from Middle School through College. The experience at different levels has taught me a tremendous amount about my own strengths and weaknesses. I have also had the opportunity to witness how other instructors deliver the material and interact with the students, which has given me the opportunity to experiment with different strategies, and I have gained a better understanding of my own personality and strengths in the classroom. I now see myself as a combination of different "classroom personalities" and can better adjust to individual and class needs.
