Not sure I can quantify that. My experience seems to have as much influence as my personality. Since I enjoy telling stories, taking course themes and tying them to real-world circumstances probably reflects my personality.
I try to be funny and accommodating. I don't tell "jokes", but I incorporate anecdotes and use quick wit or situational humor as often as possible, engaging the students rather than doing stand-up. Demonstrations are often fun and funny, and include goofy sound effects. Using humor accomplishes a number of things - first, it's entertaining, something all students crave more and more. Along with that, it (hopefully) encourages a positive attitude in them for future lectures. Additionally, it puts students at ease, fosters an endearing quality, all of which help enable learning. I know I'm at least somewhat successful because I hear that students seek my classes, and at the end of course, I have them asking if there's anything else I teach. I know, however, that overdoing it can often have an adverse effect - students not taking the material seriously.
Hi Anna:
No ones personality is exactly alike. I think it's a mistake to emulate someone else in an artificial way. Many times, we revert back to how it was when we were in school.
I believe being honest and sincere, natural in our delivery, calm and relaxed, and conveying a care and comforting demeanor will most always be received well. Also, teachers should demonstrate courtesy and esteem for their students as a basic foundation.
We may need some on course correction for students, but that, done in private, and expressing a genuine concern for the success of the student will achieve better results and may contribute improved trust and mutual respect.
Regards, Barry
An effective instructor is cognizant of their own personality to help them identify the best delivery method to use. One will also take into consideration the content and scope of the material to be covered. I would want to choose delivery methods that address (work with) my personality as well as help me teach the material I have.
An instructor's personality will and should shine through his/her delivery. A very upbeat instructor (one who is very animated) may use very simple powerpoint presentations to help his/her students focus on key points as s/he is discussing a slide. Both (personality & delivery method) aim towards providing the most effective way to communicate the material.
Hi Tracey:
Being yourself is best. We can put on a "professional face" but if it's seen as disingenuine or artificial it won't be received well. Being sincere and honest, caring and supportive, and willing to help will nearly always be a successful formula.
Regards, Barry
Hi Winnifred:
Confidence goes a long ways. I think being natural and not trying to emulate another is better than something seen as disingenuine. Sinereity and caring delivery is received well. Being able to relate to mistakes or errors as "human" is great (as long as there are too many of them in one session!).
Regards, Barry
Hi Winnifred:
Confidence and competence often are good matches. One builds on another. Of course, preparation and experienced knowledge has to precede the class preparation, but these traits will call attention to all, "the teacher is here so pay attention".
Regards, Barry
Hi Lisa:
Great comments. It's almost as if we are engaged in an intimate conversation with a trusted friend discussing a difficult personal situation.
There's emotion (enthusiasm, passion, excitement), knowledge(lecture, stories, questions), and leadership (trusting students with information, guiding and facilitating, rewarding and recognizing). The student should feel "filled and satisfied" at completion.
Or, it could be blah, blah, blah, telling vs teaching,; reading PPT slides vs sharing pertinent examples; taliking vs creative, thought provoking critical thinking questions. Artificial vs sincere.
Delivery is dynamic!
Regards, Barry
The individual instructor's personality in delivering tells volumes of the instructor's knowledge and training. Students are very sensitive and can pick up on how limited the teacher's knowledge about the subject matter is.When this occurs the students will react in a frusttrated manner which will limit their learning process.
An individual's personality especially in the classroom setting tells a great volume. If the teacher is prepared and is knowledgable in the subject matter then the delivery will be with confidence. On the other hand if the instructor is not prepared then not only will they demonstrate a negative attitude towards his/her students, but there will be a great deal of frustrations in the classroom.
I think that your personality is everything to the delivery method. Whether you are lecturing, doing a power point presentation or group work, if you are able to show your passion and excitement for that area by having the tone or pitch of your voice change or even your body language change, then I think it shows to the students that you are not just stating because you have to but because it is what made your job important to you when you were working in the field. I also feel that the more passion and excitement that you have for something the more interested the students are going to be about learning it because they will not get bored with the material, especially if you are able to provide specific examples from your experience in the work field.
Your personality can make you a hit in the class or sink you. You have to show the students that you are human. By giving them real life examples of what you did right and wrong in the field, lets them know that you are a human being and make mistakes. But you have to let the students know what you learned from your mistakes too.
Doing what you are most comfortable with delivers a credible method of instruction. Students need to see the instructor's expertise in the choice of delivery.
I totally agree Edward. Furthermore, trying to be somebody you're not will likely have a hugely negative impact on the quality of your instruction.
Personality can bring out so much more than a subject. Showing enthusiasm and passion for your field that you teach will drive your students to become more passionate and really want to learn from you. If you are dull, the material will be boring. If you are passionate, knowledgable and enthusiastic your students will stay engaged and focussed.
An instructor's personality plays a major role in the delivery method. The delivery should be something that the instructor is comfortable with or at the very least practices until he/she can do it well. For example if an instructor has absolutley terrible hand writing but uses the chalk/vap board to list important course items this could frustrate students very quickly.
Hi Sabrina:
I think the most obvious way a student relates to their teacher is by their personality. We can be the best at what we do, or have an awesome curriculum, but if our personality doesn't connect, falls, flat, is boing or offish in some way, the students will not benefit as much.
We want to be authentic - natural versions of ourselves and not some artificial version of someone else, as students will perceive that as insincere.
Regards, Barry
Hi Eileen:
You've made some good points about ways to make personality work favorably in the classroom.
Personality is the most obvious way that student relate to the teacher. They could be the most knowledgeable person around, and have have a excellent curriculum prepared, but if their personality falls flat, is weak for some reason, or not well received, those other attributes will be diminished.
But I don't think anyone should be artificial. The natural version of ourselves will be better received, and our own version of humor, enthusisam, excitement, interest, and expertise should be emphasized in class. Students will soon limit their level of trust and respect for teachers who are obviously insincere in their relating to students.
Regards, Barry
Hi Julie:
A good teacher will add humor when it's appropriate, and usually that's jus a small part, and it comes naturally in the course of the lecture - such as you're describing. Too much and although your students may laugh, your information may be received as less important.
But being your natural self is good. Students also appreciate students who show enthusiasm and true interest in their topic. That reaches students more as much as humor.
Regards, Barry
When selecting the delivery method you are going to use, you have to be aware of your own personality. For instance, I can use humor to get my point across and keep the students engaged, but I do it by telling stories of actual industry experience. I cannot tell a joke to save my life. If I try, the sound of crickets can be heard throughout the room! Therefore, I design my powerpoints and lectures to lead in to the stories, but leave out the jokes!
