Hi Mariela,
You have a number of great strategies that you are using to make your course content relevant to the lives of your students. The research project is a good one to get the students involved in the topics of the course. Your exams are much like mine. I really like to use case studies and scenarios to assess for application. I think it gives me a more accurate picture of what the students know.
Gary
Finding more hands on activities each class. When you teach a program based class it's is hard to balance learning the software and the actual technique. I was thinking of having a warm up at the beginning of class to get the students thinking.
Since I myself have got to find applicability to subject matter, I require a research assignment from my students where they can apply what they are learning in my course. For example, I teach a sociology course (Cultural Diversity). So one of their assignments is an internet assignment where they research "hate groups" in America, and especially in our state. What an eye-opener this turned out to be. I also send them on a field trip and have them write a report incorporating concepts and term definitions learned throughout the course. On exams, my questions test more than information. For example, I give them a scenario and then ask them what concept or term is being exemplified.
Hi Elizabeth,
I think you are going to enjoy sharing them with your students. They aren't much effort but they really benefit the students because they are focused and current.
Gary
I find using visual tools to help explain the topic helps the students relate and put the info into a more practical application. Also I find that some stories of how the use of the subject mater also helps the students relate.
I would really like to use more supplemental materials. I know they are available and think of using them when I see them, but I haven't made a habit of using them in class yet.
I already use a lot of the interactive learning and I am very hands on. I really enjoyed the information about the time lines for adult learners and how much information they retain. I will start to use more mini lectures to keep my students more focused and engaged.
Hi James,
Your experience is the value added part of your student's education. They get to learn different ways and methods from someone that has earned his living being competitive in his field.
Gary
Whith the experience that I bring from the field I should also be able to show more than one way to accomplish a task while at the same time while observing the student be able to choose which delivery method would be the most beneficial for the student and then expand from there the different ways to accomplish the task.
Hi Kathryn,
Great plan for professional development. I wish you much success in your new role as department head. By bringing the highest level of professionalism to your classroom you are going to be able model positive attributes for your instructors as well. This will help them to develop and bring a higher level of instructional delivery to their classrooms.
Gary
Hi Pamela,
Good plan. You have a clear grasp of how you want to deliver your content in an effective and efficient manner. You are offering a variety of ways for your students to be engaged in the learning process. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Hi Moira,
Good point. You have to insert your personality and style into your teaching. Using the other instructors as models and learning from them is great. Then you can translate what you know into "you" and you are going to do fine as an instructor.
Gary
Hi Amie,
I like your statement about the students thinking you will be kinder since you teach psychology. You are correct about this. This is a classic in terms of how people perceive certain fields and the people who work in them. What the students aren't thinking about is that fact that since you do understand human behavior you know that they will try to "con" you and other such weakness of personality that all humans have and that you know how to "see" these behaviors and counter them. It has to be fun teaching such a course.
Gary
Hi Amie,
Welcome back to our profession. You have the experience to be up to speed in terms of professional delivery. Since you have kept current you are going to have a great time once again sharing with students. I wish you the best.
Gary
My goal is to become more of a facilitator rather than an expert. I am looking for ways to get students to answer more questions instead of expecting that they will be "spoon-fed" the information to pass the classes I teach.
I am the new department head and I have the desire to raise the academic rigor for my students.
I know that I need to use many of the suggestions for staying organized throughout a course and this weakness shows as a modeling defect. One technique I need to use is the videotaping to watch myself again. It has been 20 years since I last did this, and it is time...
KK
I find that showing versus telling is one of my favorite techniques for teaching. It's a daily challange to keep the student engaged in the material so it's my job to find new ways of approaching this issue. What I'm doing more frequently is if I sense the students are getting restless I periodically make plans to get them out of doors for hands on training, or even a field trip. This benefits the student much more than me lecturing, drawing diagrams and/or showing videos. The students seem to retain more this way as well as looking forward to the next class with anticipation. Another benefit is that during these activities I have the opportunity to step back and observe the students rather than being front and center focused on the material and watching body language for feedback. Students, outside the classroom, tend to discuss likes and dislikes when they don't think anyone is paying attention. More times than not I will hear comments about my teaching that, either negative or positive, continually helps me refine myself as an instructor.
Our campus is fairly new, but those instructors who have taught my classes previously are very helpful in sharing information. It still feels more natural and usually gets a better response from students when I mix my own style in with perhaps some assignments or suppplements from other instructors.
Hi James,
By recognizing that people process information in different ways and planning different methods of instruction you will be able to better meet the needs of your students as well as help them with their career success.
Gary
Hi Karen,
This is a great way of making the educational process personal for your students. They know you care by the time and effort you are investing in their success.
Gary
Hi Jan,
Thank you for sharing your experience and perspective on how to be a dynamic instructor.
Gary
