The instructor's personality determines how he/she communicates with students (very animated, using humor, intensity, ways of asking questions); and what delivery methods to use. Selection of delivery methods (PowerPoint vs. chalk/whiteboard, for example) may depend in part on personality and in part on comfort level with media. Also on what one is trying to accomplish. Chalkboards are very useful in interactive discussion, while PowerPoint may not be as much. But shying away from high-tech media may depend less on personality than on practice. Also, hands-on instruction will use a different media, probably more moving around (instructor and students)and require the instructor to be both skilled and knowledgeable.
Hi Terry:
The best personality is the one we were born with. Yes, we can apply emphasis here and there, and of course, our version of enthusiatic, inspiring, motivating delivery is helpful. So is being a genuine, honest, natural person. Students will relate to sincerity and refuse artificial hype.
Regards, Barry
Hi Linda:
Entusiastic, excited, motivating, inspirating instructors create an upward flow that attacts and commands students to focus and pay attention. However we can achieve that with our natural and learned skills is how we should be - natural and genuine in our delivery.
Regards, Barry
Hi Eric:
Humor is helpful as long as it is not overdone. I have a dry sense of humor and most of it flys right over most students heads, so I've learned to focus on the lesson in a straightforward manner, courteous and polite, honest, and sincere. No problems.
Regards, Barry
Hi Robert:
Personality is important, but it has to be natural. Student desire honesty and genuineness in their instructors. Trust and respect can improve when students feel their instructor is being up front with them even if the news is less than wonderful.
Regards, Barry
Hi Michael:
There's nothing like an enthusiastic, confident, dynamic, energetic instructor to keep the attention and focus of a class. Adding competence and student involvement will make for a interesting and enjoyable class experience.
Regards, Barry
Your personality is the life of the classroom.
I try to mirror sucessful teachers in their excitment for the class.
The delivery method should play to the personality of the instructor.
I love to use humore to stimulate them; let them know that i am a real person who has made mistakes along the way but the true passion and love of what i do always kept me going so i tell them to never lose the passion! ever!
Hi Michael:
Good stories, serious, humorours, or applicable to the work seeting are almost always received well by students.
Regards, Barry
Your personality as an instructor plays an intricate role. You need to be able to engage your students through your style of presenting information by being a creative instructor.
I think class chemistry also determines how effective a personality type will be. Some classes require a "stronger" personality to maitain classroom control.
Iconsider myself a combination of Socratic and Learn by Doing. This combination of open ended discussion and practical application works especially well with Massage students.
The personality of the instructor plays an important part of the classroom. If the instructor is not engaged about the materials being taught then the students will not be engaged or interested in the materials.
In my opinion it is the number one factor. Instructors will choose the media in which to deliver their message largely, if not soley, based upon the what they are most comfortable with and aligns with their personality type. For example, I am very outgoing and definitely a "hands on" learner. I love what I do and it comes through loud and clear in my lectures. I really enjoy showing examples of work I love and providing my students with industry resources and connections. Not one for boring powerpoints or lectures, I am at my best when demonstrating step by step the process needed to create a website.
I have met and learned under many different personality types, all distinct in how they teach and what methods they choose.
I really try to relate to the students on a personal level, as far as telling them a personal experience with a patient and also encouraging them to tell an experience they have had at the dentist. I like to allow questions at any time and keep things low-key and not stressful. I think students enjoy our classroom environment and feel relaxed with no fear of asking any question.
Hi Karen:
Great example. Our personality is and should be an extension of of natural self, not something put on just for class. I believe students will appreciate our delivery when the recognize our expertise and it's presentation is a genuine version of ourselves with all of our sibcerity, enthusiasm, and excitement. It make for more enjoyable and interesting classes.
Regards, Barry
A relevant stories, poems, analogies, phrases are useful to helps students remember. For example, I instruct Excel and when students are completing problems, I let them know that there is more than one way to get to Frackville -- meaning there is more than one method to solved the problem. It is almost the end of the quarter, and students are repeating this phrase on their own and chucking about it. This fits with my personality since yes, we need to stay on track and focused, but also along the way we need to have fun and laugh -- can't be serious all the time.
Hi Eugene:
Each teacher has their own version of themselves and allowing that natural and sincere person out of the bottle will reveal the confident, competent instructor ideling inside.
Delivery and presentation are the only visible evidence of waht the teacher is thinking, conveying, their point, or their knowledge. Being relaxed and calm helps create that for the class. Humor can season a lesson if not overdone.
I think of the metaphor of the teacher as a tool. Our focus is not the tool, but what it can accomplish. And their thousands of specialized "tools" that can potentially be very effective in accomplishing their goal.
Regards, Barry
Hi Joseph:
Delivery and presentation is the only thing a student sees as an outward expression of the teachers intent, meaning, or knowledge.
Being good natured, genuine and sincere, honest and open, and caring with support and encouragement, however that's conveyed will nearly always provide a good basic successful presentation style.
Regards, Barry
