There is an old saying that education is 1/4 content and 3/4 presentation. I'll bet your love of the material comes through.
Extemporaneous is the only way. I have notes if needed but any attempt to read to students will put them to sleeep immediately.
Our personality shapes how we present. If we are aware of our personality strengths, we can emphasize and exploit them. If we have particular weaknesses we can learn to compensate for them.
Hi Cindy:
Yes, sometimes keeping the class interesting does require a bit of "entertainment", if that's what it takes to get the lesson covered.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cindy:
Great story, thanks for sharing with the forum.
I think it's true we are all persons first, then professionals from our specific line of work, and of course teachers. These "hats" allow us to bring creativity and variety into the classroom. I think we all can appreciate the benefits of improvement if needed, in order to help our students. Students enjoy interesting, motivated, caring instructors and probably do better in classes where this kind of instructor is present.
Regards, Barry
I have often thought that as instructors, we are all actors in a way!
As a nursing instructor, I think that it is important to show your students how they can be both professional and themselves at the same time with patients. For instance, I tell them about an instance in which a dying patient wanted to talk about death with me as her family was still in the denial stage of grieving and could not discuss this with her. I sat with her and cried with her over her losses (she was 21 years old, was going to be married but then canceled it as she did not want her intended to be a widower, etc.). Her family was not happy with the fact that her nurse was crying with her and, due to HIPPA laws, could not tell them about what the patient had said. They complained to my superviosr, who never told me about it. Yet, one night about 6 months later, when I was working a woman came up and gave me a letter to give to the person in charge. That person gave me the letter and told me to read it as it was about me. the letter basically stated that the family was so happy that "that nurse" had been able to comfort their daughter/granddaughter when they had not been able to do so and that "that nurse" was their daughter/granddaughter's favorite nurse. SO my lesson is that you can still be a professional and allow your personality to show through at the same time. I also like to incorporate fun, activities, games, etc. into my teaching.
Hi Mardi:
Personality can play a great part in the interest the students have in the class too. Sometimes the teacher needs feedback to let know whether they're projecting an exciting, energetic, enthusiastic and upbeat image. The teacher may have to work at it but students will just do better in a environment that's very positive and where the teacher cares about the students and their success.
Regards, Barry
Based on the instructor personality, they should select a method of delivery that they are comfortable with and the meet the needs of the students and the objectives to be taught.
Hi Carolyn:
You're right - how a teacher presents themselves to a class can make the difference in the students mind about how they like the teacher and their methods, and therfore, will tend to do better in that class. Just the opposite can be true as well. I think that's where understanding ourselves as instructors and relying on our stronger points is a valuable work in progress.
Regards, Barry
I believe an instructor can make or break a classroom. You have to have the right personality to deliver the material. If not it will be extremely difficult for students to learn.
Hi Rebecca:
I think I agree with the essence of your comment. The reason the students are there, and our relationship with them is as instructor, mentor, facilitator, teacher. We are not there to demonstrate our (perceived) witty jokes, comical antics, or innappropriate stories that have little to do with the lesson at hand.
The students expect a focused, competent instructor acting and reinforcing a professional manner and demeanor. And although they may not comment if the teacher goes too far off track, they'll still notice, and that may diminish their respect for the teacher or even create less enthusisiasm for doing a good job by the students.
Regards, Barry
This might sound a bit old fashion but I feel that when delivering information or instruction on material or skills,you should bring your most professional qualities and attitude to the classroom or lab, no matter how fun loving you maybe outside of class. This is not to say that laughter and humor can not be a part of instruction, but some of the personalities I have seen don,t belong in the classroom.
Hi David:
Great comments. I agree our personality mnakes a diiference, Students are attracted to teachers that are upbeat, entusiastic, confident, excited, and motivational to their students.
Regards, Barry
I think it plays a major role. The best planning and media in the world won't help if you alienate the students by coming accross as stand-offish or even just plain boring. I've seen too many instructors that talk down to students rather than to them. Also, if the students see that you are excited about the subject, they will become more excited and engaged as well.
Hi Ken:
Thanks for the reference. I would say that personality is a factor in every case (student-teacher relationship). What matters though, is if that personality is one that is appreciated or welcomed by the students. I believe if students sense that their teacher truley cares about their success, that's going to make a difference.
Regards, Barry
Barry,
Personality is what makes each instructor unique.
A recent book I read in one of my course was: "What the best college teachers do" by Ken Bain. His sample size of 50 teachers across America who were successful defined by the success of thier students. Interesting each teacher approached teaching in their own way and personality certainly played a role.
Good book and recommended reading.
Ken
Hi Ken:
I agree that our instructional personalities are all but inevitable to seep into our delivery and presentation. True, we want to focus on the course content and avoid wasting students time by telling stories that are not related to the content.
Without personality, it would seem a monotonous and less than interesting presenation would be the result.
Regards, Barry
Personality will always play in some part in delivery selection but as described in this module the course content should take priority over delivery selected.
Hi Augustine:
Being yourself, your students will benefit as they can concentrate on your care for their learning and relate to you as a person. The more natural and confident, the better your courses will be.
Regards, Barry
