Hi Terri,
This is often a challenge for instructors as they create foundational or basic presentations for their students. It is easy to forget at what level these students really are. By stepping back and reflecting on your own educational process you can start to see how you can develop presentations that will meet the needs of your students. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Develop better powerpoint slides. I have taught at much higher levels (post-grad, national conferences) and need to develop class materials suited for entry level students.
agree, passion must be their to teach
Open the class with an Ice Breaker
Hi Hector,
Right you are. You have to lay out the operating policies for the course and make sure everyone is clear on what the expectations are. Plus by establishing rapport with the students you will be developing their respect. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Class room managment is essential in any teaching situation, whether it is grade school or college. The first day is crucial in laying the ground work for what your expectations are. Your students should respect you and see you as a mentor and someone who they trust. It is hard work planning for each an every class and we owe it to our students.
Hi Robert,
This is an excellent way to develop knowledge and expertise as an educator. In most cases we have learned out craft/skill by watching others and learning how to be a better instructor is no different.
Gary
I will plan to spend some time observing fellow class instructors and their instructional styles, as well as asking their opinion on what works well for them and their students.
don't be afraid to ask for suggestions from seasoned instructors.
For complex subjects I plan to use more open-ended questions to hopefully stimulate the student's critical thinking.
I can use technology to further research resources that are available to enhance my instructor style.
Hi Karen,
You make a number of excellent points about teaching strategies. The biggest one I think is that you are working hard to make a dry topic interesting. Many instructors just drag through the topic without trying to engage the students at all. If you make it interesting the students will learn more and your job will be so much easier. Keep that excitement going!.
Gary
Hi Karen,
Excellent point. Passion a word that convenes many meanings for instructors and students. Successful people have passion for what they do and this needs to be imparted to the students. This is a part of teaching that brings so many rewards. Student success helps to keep the passion high. I wish you much success with your teaching.
Gary
Hi Jay,
Good idea. Have fun with what you are teaching and your students will to. They will see how much you enjoy the career area and that you are helping them achieve their career goals all the while having fun doing it. What a great job.
Gary
When addressing a complex topic I try to prepare students in advance by reinforcing reading assignments and preparation. This is sometimes difficult as students may perceive the material as "too hard". I can usually avoid this problem by letting them know the class will be working through the material together.
On the other hand, when dealing with a fairly simple topic I don't address the material as easy to, hopefully, avoid students losing interest in something that may not be very challenging.
I like the fact that everyday I get to share my knowledge and experiences to the students in my classroom. I feel like I am in a point of my life, that I need to give back to the community what they have given me. I think I can do this through teaching.
Study, study and study and then practice presentation approaches to the topic to be presented. Some students learn quickly and easily and then others seem to lack concentration and focus. I try to meet a happy medium to reach students excited to learn as much as they can and others that are slow to learn basic concepts.
I utilize several methods of presentation such as power-point, lecture with the dry board, DVD or videos and demonstrations. Students seem to respond well to drawing them into the lecture with questions and examples.
My enthusiasm and energy in whatever topic or skill presented is directly related to the students desire to learn more. When some topics are dry I need to find ways to spice up the presentation to add energy in the classroom. One thing I have been trying is taking a dry topic and having a hands on application to make it more alive.
Passion is a great motivator in the classroom. Not only a passion for the topic but a passion to see students succeed in their journey of learning.
Being ourselves in the classroom is essential for our credibility and model we display for our students.
I find that if you can have fun while teaching your students will be more engaged with there subjects
Hi Randolph,
All the listed components in the forum are needed to be able to target the learning needs of your students. Keep the combination going and you are going to be an effective instructor.
Gary