Active listening is so important in teaching.
I like to review the student surveys, ask questions in the class to try to motivate the students and to gain a better understanding of the students learning styles. Collaborating with my peers and other teaching professionals can also enhance my teaching styles. If a new idea works with one class, it may work in another class.
Consider problems in students' shoes. the Instructional Style should meet students' need.
I also think that a lot of my students look to me as a mentor, just as I did coming up through my career. I remember my interactions with those folks, & try to mimick their attitudes & actions.
Patience & persistence, as well as trying to recall the first time I was in their particular situation, & the questions I had about a particular operation helps me convey the message I'm trying to relay.
So far it has been beneficial to both my students, as well as myself.
Upon reflecting on past experiences when I was student, teachers who were compassionate and mentored students are those that I remember. I use them as my role models when developing my teaching style. I also feel it is important to challenge yourself as an instructor. Your preferred teaching style may not meet all of the needs of your students. By going out of your comfort zone, you will be able to reach more students.
Some of the teaching methods i use include group projects, video presentations ( so that they can watch it again if they have forgotten the steps), and invididual presentations.
I also do a one-one with the student on the progress of their class. I found out that students get motivated when they have personal interaction with the faculty about their academic progress. They come with the problems that they face in class and also request for help outside of class
Observe other instructors, ask for feedbach on your classroom style by asking someone from administration to sit in class and observe you and give feedback and read instructional material for new ideas.
I will employ more technology to enhance my students learning experience. Power-point is wonderful and all but there are more interactive programs out there at our disposal..
I think student evaluations are benefical, but can be colored by your evaluation of each student. I try to take the ideas about what is helpful and not helpful and incorporate these ideas into my instructional style. Observing other instructors is helpful, but again every instructor has good points and areas that will not fit into your teaching style. Trying too many different things at one time can throw you off kilter and confuse you and the students.
Hi Navinthran,
You are right about the students at times needing a mentor. As a mentor you can help them with their career growth and personal development as new professionals.
Gary
The techniques I can personally employ is to further my knowledge base of learning by continuing to take classes like this. I feel this will improve my preformance in the classroom
Hi Thomas,
Once students are engaged in the learning process they really light up and want to come back for more instruction. This is what keeps you coming back to the classroom over and over.
Gary
Thank you for your great advice . I find this so true. Especially in a fast paced program where I find myself having to be very flexible in order to meet my students learning needs. An evaluation right after a certain activity or project will definately give me accurate feedback on how effective concept or skill was delivered.
I would have to say that I would like to have a mentoring relationship with my students. I think they could use a friend sometimes as much as an instructor or authoritative figure.
I could honestly work more with learning specific student needs and discovering what each student needs or what their unique needs are. I tend sometimes to get frustrated with a student if that student seems to be the only one who is not understanding me. But I think I could definitely employ more of the different instructional methods to get the same point across.
Hi Holt,
Great way to stay on top of what your students need to be successful in the course. Through this feedback you are able to make changes as needed as well as retain the content and activities that are working well.
Gary
Hi John,
It is good that your campus provides this teaching model for you. This shows you that they are interested in your growth and development as an instructor. This way you expand your expertise and they get quality instruction. Win-win.
Gary
Hi Gregory,
Good comment. This is where one of my favorite quotes comes in "the beginning of understanding is willingness to start listening". That is what two way learning is all about.
Gary
Hi Bonnie,
Thank you for sharing your teaching experiences with us. Students do like stories because it helps to make the course content real for them. I really like their evaluation that says the course is too short. Way to go! This is truly a high compliment of your abilities as an instructor.
Gary
Hi Maria,
Good ideas for professional development. The more exposure we have to instructional growth the greater our knowledge will be on how to be more effective and efficient in our teaching.
Gary
