Learn to understand how the class is reacting to the material that is being presented ,knowing by facialk expressions if the students understoodthe instructions given,knowing the right questions to ask and knowing what my instructional style is
That sounds like a very tactful way to introduce topics, I have also used the open question method. It sometimes works for me but in my adult classes sometimes it bites me, some of those students are very withdrawn and won't speak up. I like your style though. Thanks for responding!
I have a conversational but purposeful instructional style. I like asking questions that introduce a topic. It allows the students to show me what they know and then I can expand on that knowledge that is already there.
I can improve by not turning my head to look at the slides behind me but look forward when I talk. I can remember to look at both sides of the room.
I have to remember to repeat questions posed by students and to repeat answers that students give so everyone can hear what was said and respond.
Learning from everyday life.
Hi Joseph,
Welcome back. Thank you for sharing these professional growth ideas with the participants. Feedback both from students and fellow faculty is always helpful. I try and get feedback from my students throughout the course phase that way I get a much more accurate picture of how the course is going. I find the end of the course evaluations aren't really that helpful since the students tend to reflect and respond to what is happening right then and there rather than responding to the activities of the whole course.
Gary
Dr. Meers,
I believe one of the best techniques is to visit and observe other instructors and see their style of teaching. A second idea would be to invite some of them in to observe me and then ask for constructive feedback. We also utilize end course surveys with the student's each course cycle, so I encourage feedback good or bad from the students so I can use it to look at and adjust from time to time...This helps keep one on their toes so you don't fall into a rut of teaching allowing you to be fresh and effective to new classes. It's always good to stop and reflect.....
Sorry I haven't posted any messages lately...I have just returned from an extended LOA.
Absolutely, as in life it is ultimately your decision to have a great day or to complain about the day. I feel as an Instructor that I should expect to learn everyday or I am cheating my students
Hi David,
Experience is a great teacher isn't it. We can be crushed by it or grow from it. It is really our choice if we are going to develop into an instructor of the highest quality.
Gary
Your instructional style can only improve as you come to know yourself better. The module is correct in this assessment and the best way to get to know yourself better is by standing in front of the classroom. Works out quite well.
Hi Robert,
That is what teaching is all about. The "ah-ha" moments when students get it. What a rush for teachers.
Gary
Wow, I couldn't have said that better myself! I teach at a career school as well as adult education of computers at a CareerLink, my most challenging classes. It is the inner reward that I value the most. Seeing first time computer users learn and grow confidence is priceless, no amount of money could ever compare.
Hi Colin,
Good strategy. I think all of us educators can benefit from observing and learning from others in our area. The key is to always be on the lookout for things you can learner from more experienced teachers.
Gary
Always stay open to new methods or new information. If you have the opportunity to watch other instructors, in the same class or others, do so. There's always something to be learned...
Get input from experienced instructors. Video self and review with established pros.
I would say that knowing everyday that I am trying to be better than the day before is my most valuable technique. In that i will never fall into the trap that I cannot get any better than I already am today. As an instructor i owe it to my class to always stay one day better than my best student. I am also a very engaging instructor so as to always strive to keep all my students involved with the classroom activities. I like to instill small group activities within the classroom and discuss different aspects of the lesson. To answer your question I would have to say all of them. I am continuously refining and trying to enhance with whatever technique I can employ, which is why I will continuously sit in on fellow instructors classes to get more aspects and techniques for teaching
Response to Gary, to improve my style I would like to research more the different learning styles of students. I will take more time in the beginning to get to know what these are and who the students are. I love the idea of a pretest to determine this information and will utilize this. I will use many more instructional methods in teaching the content to reach out to different learning styles and use humor more often in creating a more fun atmosphere. I will open to the suggestions of the students and am thinking of a post test much like the pretest to see if I and the course met their expectations. This should help me gauge what my future instructional styles will be. Thanks for the response, Sharon
First of all you have to take all learning styles into consideration. I use power point, hands-on and discussion. I believe it is good to use real world situations and stories about things you have encountered in the field. I find that this helps the student relate to you as a real person and also helps them to remember by association.
You can use a number of teaching aids to assist in your instruction. I have found that some times you have to use some personal experiences to get your point across. I also use additional teaching aids such as appropriate movies or portions of them, slides, models - what ever I can find to keep the student's attention.
Talking with fellow teachers as to what has worked for them and observing in their classes, all add to my knowledge base and to enhance my instructional style.
In my undergraduate degree, the most difficult course in the major was Biochem. The instructor Dr. Paul Price delivered key information in 3 distinct ways sequentially. I immediately learned and retained more information.
Speek about the subject with passion and keep the students interested and involved as much as one can with demonstrations and examples.