By reviewing my end of the course evaluations made by students and managers, I can do a self evaluation based on the comments given in the evaluations and use those as a starting ground to build upon.
I can improve my syllabus so students have a better understanding of what the course will present to them and what is expected of them. I also plan to change my presentation style. Currently, we do the lecture all at once and then the lab portions at the end of class time. I think it may be more beneficial if I try to break it up a bit with some lecture, then some lab, then more lecture followed by more lab time.
The most effective technique I could use at this time is to get to know other instructors' styles by sitting in on some classes and observing how others model, manage, and motivate. The other thing is to keep practicing and learning from my triumphs and mistakes.
I would really like to observe other instructors and see what techniques they utilize to deliver material.
Empower is a perfect word for this situation (student crituque), I'll be using that one, thanks
I could not have said it better myself!
It is true that "knowing yourself" and "knowing your students" is crucial to the development and enhancement of instructional style.
My school conducts an instructor evaluation in the middle of each quarter. The feedback has been quite a valuable eye-opener about myself.
I have also gone one step further, and ask students to evaluate their experience with each project that I assign.
Additionally, I like to have my students do a self-assessment of their performance on each project.
I think that all of these techniques have greatly enhanced my teaching style, and more importantly, it has improved the educational experience for the students.
Mini-lecture, team activity and critical thinking
Once I become comfortable teaching a course, it becomes easy to accept the status quo rather than constantly reevaluating what aspects of my teaching style work and what don't. When I think back on my education, the best teachers were always the ones improving themselves.
Hi Sara,
A great goal and one I am sure you have and will continue to achieve. I wish you the best in your educational endeavors.
Gary
Hi Joyce,
Welcome to my world! I to have been teaching over 35 years and I can say it has been a tremendous amount of fun. I get to keep learning in my field, have new experiences each time I start a class and never does it become boring unless I let it.
Gary
Hi Dawn,
You make a key point about making a teaching style your own. You have to find your comfort level with how you deliver, direct and coordinate learning in your classroom. It has to be you.
Gary
Hi Claire,
Spoken like a true life long learner and dedicated educator. All of us need to continue to look for ways we can improve our abilities as instructors. You gave a very good example of how this can be done.
Gary
I don't want to teach the same way term after term. I'm trying to integrate more activities where the students can learn material on their own without me rading the book to them. I'm trying to ask myself more often if the subject needs lecture or if it can be learned in other ways.
There are many techniques that instructors use to convey messages to students. The style I enjoy most is heavy interaction with the students. As an instructor, I see my role as learning what is fresh and new out there and to develop my skills, I like to read articles about what other instructors are doing as well as personally talking to them. I also talk to experts in my field to uncover information that is key to them so I can better convey that first hand knowledge to my students. I want to be seen as true manager, mentor and motivator by my students and peers.
My instructional style changes continually. Everytime I learn a new technique I incorporate parts of it into my previous practices. Being a life-long learner has not allowed me to become a complacent teacher. I always try to remain consistent yet unpredicatable, entertaining yet educating, adapting yet expecting high quality. When someone thinks they know it all it is time for them to quit because they really know nothing. I still have a lot to learn and I have been teaching for over 35 years.
I believe that you have to research your field of expertise and consult others in your field to sort of get a grasp on what has successfully been done by others and thus on what you should be doing in your instruction. Personally, I like to use a variety of support and resource materials, including but not limited to cd-roms, instructional dvds, and internet websites/databases.
I do think talking with other instructors about their styles is a great way to do this-especially instructors with years of experience. But you do need to make a teaching style your own. If you aren't comfortable with a chosen style, you probably won't be very comfortable or very successful as an instructor.
By observing other instructors I could enhance my instructional style. Right now, I am comfortable in the classroom, but I am always looking for new ways to do things. I would also enhance my instructional style if I had another instructor sit in on my classes and give me constructive feedback.
One thing that I know that I need to work on is making my online classes more visual. At present, I do that by asking students to post short videos or animation that demonstrate the content for the week. I need to watch for things that I can add to the class, too.
