It's hard to find a comfort zone lecturing as a new instructor, because I came from a clinical lab. I find this course very interesting, and I'm learning how to incorperate my person style in my lecture. Having the freedom to be yourself is key to being a good instructor.
One technique that I thought of while I was reading the first module, was journal writing. I think if I were to do more journaling (based off of my performance in the classroom), it will allow me to reflect better on my instructional style. With reflection, I will better identify the areas of improvement as well as be able to target other professional development opportunities.
Jamison, I see your points in refining your style for class to class. I think refining our style from class to class is important. It is important to do this so we do not become boring. Well at least for me. Thank you, John
I try to incorporate videos and guest speakers in the subject areas. I do this at least in once during a 12 week course. It not only adds variety but gives a student another avenue for reflection and critical thinking rather than just hearing what I have to say.
I have to be be prepared for a topic that I need to discuss with my students. I will make sure that the class will not be a boring one. I will let the students participate.
Holy Moly— Dr. Meers, could you have chosen a rougher subject for me!
Besides what I normally do as far as keeping up/in with the industry I'm involved with by taking on freelance jobs, internships, Associations, and self study...and then converting those experiences into meaningful lessons...
On introspection, I would have to say that the weakest part of my instructional style is my delivery. I wasn't born with the gift of gab so many of my colleagues seem to possess. This has proven to be a challenge for a number of years.
As far as enhancements to my style; I have introduced many work arounds in order to develop dialogue. The creation of On-Screen presentations which later developed into Interactive Presentations has by far been the greatest success. Now, not only am I able to lecture, I have visual aids, I have "secret" reference points for me to start dialogue about the topic at hand, the students take notes of the slides as well as off the board, and when the presentation/lecture is complete I try to work in a Hands-On task relating to the subject.
Thats not to say that I haven't thrown in the occasional guest lecturer, or field trip—but I'm their instructor, I should be the go-to guy.
I should also mention that the presentation isn't the only part of my delivery. I do supply printed collateral of exercises, assignments, notes on difficult to follow subject matter, etc.
The only things I can think of to further develop my style is to keep pushing myself to try, try, try (this even includes giving trial lectures to an empty room so I don't stumble across words). To take in the occasional lecture, and to keep up on advancements and articles in my field.
Thanks for the question—if you have any suggestions I'm open.
I try to refine my style from class to class. I see what works, what doesn't work, or what could be done better and I try to improve on that.
Continue to learn from each class and each lecture to see what works and what and how you can improve.
You could exibit positive behavior modeling by creating a safe supportive learning environment that encourages the students to meet the program goals and expecxtations.
Something that I take ownership of with every class is finding out what they did prior to coming to school. It may have been high school or a completely different field. Either way, I present myself to them in a manner showing that I care and take interest in them. In turn, they seem to open up a little quicker and allow their true personality to show. This allows the learning process to happen at a much quicker rate. This is a tool I will continue to use to help make my students feel more comfortable.
Being able to help others achieve their goals and help create a better life for themselves is part of the passion of teaching! I'm glad we all share in that excitement and am thankful to my students for allowing me to share in their experience :)
I am constantly attending seminars and lectures for my professional organization CEU's. I find that I am not only am I gaining information in my field that I bring back to students as a means of increasing their educaton, but I also add to my own instructional style since many of the lecturers are teachers. I take note of how they present their content and what delievry methods they use and how the audience reacts to the different methods.
Collegues are also an invaluable source of diverse teaching styles as well as taking on line classes and reading on teaching methodologies.
Are there any additional online resources that can be researched and reviewed on the topic of unique instructional style?
As a Pastry Chef, there are three basic techniques that I employ on a daily basis in my classroom. Demonstration is the most effective technique where I get to utilize my technical skill, personal creativity as well as a mini-lecture at the same time. An introductory lecture is equally as important so the students will gain backround information about the subject at hand.( I did not realize that adults have an attention span of only 15-18 minutes! I have been adding in a personal work-related stories to break it up a bit.)Lastly, having my portfolio and pastry books with beautiful pictures, showing the end results to the students gives them a goal to strive for.
I enjoy reading about and working with other instructors that have simular challenges on their lab. Although I am quite familiar with the curriculum and the subject matter in general I sometimes have difficulty developing new stratigies to reach students with special needs or creating excitmant for those who need more. When I see a new technique applied I often use it as is or my own twist to suit my personality and teaching style. I have also been tape recorded while doing demos and feel that it is good to observe yourself in the process of delivery and critique the clarity of delivery.
I have to agree with you strongly regarding "reading the classroom". Every group of students is different and you need to read and evaluate each class. Understanding and adjusting your style to the mix of students you are given will create a better atmosphere which the students may feel more comfortable in. This comfort in the students can help them learn more.
To keep the class interesting, even for yourself, new and different activities can help everyone.
I believe one of the biggest techniques I can use to develop my style is to not only keep up on industry trends and tools but listen to the students' comments and questions, answer them when I can and find an answer for them when I can't, but never leave a question unanswered. This not only helps the students understand what they do not get but I may learn more along the way about something I did not know. Taking their questions could also help my lectures for future classes and clarify the information for future students and their learning experiance.
I am an adament believer in creating a collaborative learning environment. Techniques that I employ are individual and group case studies, stimulation games, powerpoint presentation, etc.
I have learned that it is critically important to utilize an array of teaching methodologies. Many students have different learning styles; so I constantly try to create "innovative" instructional styles to keep my students engaged.
I have had the same problem! When I was full time in face-to-face courses in a healthcare program, I was either the same age or younger... only 2 students in five years were younger than I am. It was hard to get them to take me seriously, so I had to really employ the methodologies mentioned in the first portion of ED101 (but I didn't really realize it until I read through the material).
I had one student who was almost 30 years older than me, ex-military general. He said he had issues taking orders from a young, attractive female. I told him that he would have had to respect a young, attractive female that was of higher authority in the military, and she would employ such practices in his education. We never again had another problem. :-)
I think each time you teach a course, you refine and enhance your instructional style. I have found that my instructional style often depends on the dynamic of the classroom. Depending on the types of learner and learning styles, instructional styles can vary and need to be adapted to fit the overall learning environment. Each new course brings new ideas, which can be utilized in enhancing and refining one's instructional style.
I have been seriously working at "reading the classroom." Because the dynamics of every group of people is different, my use of the same routine every time I teach is not always successful. After a first meeting, I try to preplan approaches that seem to fit with the tone of a particular group. Fortunately, I have collected a number of references from conferences and workshops that provide me with new activities to try.
