One technique that I feel will develop, refine or enhance my instructions style is to observe other instructors during their classroom sessions. A lot of times you can pickup techniques or concepts that may work for your classroom environment. Also, observing other instructors can help you decide why certain teaching concepts are not working for your class. Overall, it gives you a new perspective on teaching.
I believe integrating real world experience can help in each of these. Specifically, you will have more confidence and better command of the classroom if speaking from personal experience. Students tend to be more engaged when they hearing about how the topics apply to the real world.
Jason
I will keep myself open to the needs and focuses of my students. I will streamline my discussion as well as keeping my subject matter relevent to the industry
It is a privilege to teach students about mental health nursing. This area can be very frightening to many and awaken areas many have taken years to put behind them. My instructional style uses a mixture of learning styles to enhance student learning and attempt to not intimidate the students in the process. Information is presented then discussed, or I act out the part and students assess the demonstration. When learning about medication, common associations are presented to aid in the learning process. As with any instructor student success is my goal.
The phrase I usually use for myself is that I'm a coach. My job is to get students to "perform" better, whether that has to reading, critical understanding, discussions, individual assignment or group projects.
Hi Ari,
This is a good point. There are other ways to get to the final solution by students. This shows their maturity and expertise. By being willing to accept these alternative solutions you are showing your students that you are responsive to their creativity.
Gary
I would like to do what was suggested in the module: Observe another instructor's class. There is an instructor at my school who is highly touted for his instructional ability. He is very successful at developing rapport with his students and, from what I've been told, has a very engaging lecture style. I know that we all have different personalities, so I wouldn't want to simply try to emulate anyone else's style, but I still think it would be possible to learn techniques and methods for effectively imparting information and for engaging students and encouraging their participation.
I belive that aside from informing oneself through the available media about a subject, also listening to students comments may aid on adjusting an assignment so they reflect the knowledge and skills learned in class in a more effective way. Perhaps we see an assignmen in a certain way but a student might have a solution that will not only meet the requirements for that assignment but also will add an extra point of interest for other students to be more motivated to complete such project.
I like to do this, too.
I ask for suggestions for teaching the same course to the next class. What worked best? What was a waste of time?
Sometimes I have to make it a requirement to supply input, too.
As a Drawing Instructor, I love to find out how different artist approach their work. I try to find ways to demonstrate these different processes to my students, so they can find the ones that best suit them and their work. I fill examples not only from my process, but from other working artist gives them a wider range of opptions and approaches to choose from.
Continue to review and even watch what other instructor do in their classrooms.
The techniques that I employ in the classroom or online in teaching is based a great deal on ice-breakers that I utilize when first meeting my students. I assess there responses and continue sessions whereby students must communicate with me. It is after I have surveyed my class so to speak, is when I began to employ certain techniques to ensure that I reach all my students. Student surveys and evaluations assist me in adjusting my style as needed.
Hi Brenda,
Thank you for sharing your professional development strategy. Your plan enables you to stay current in your field while expanding your skills as an educator. This is a win win situation for your students and yourself.
Gary
Hi Jim,
Good point and so true. The more you try to expand your abilities the more "tools" you will have available to you and your students. This increases the opportunities your students to learn new knowledge and skills.
Gary
Hi Laticia,
Love your excitement about your field and that fact that you get to teach it. Excitement is catching which to me is the strong point of teaching. What other career will let you spend time in your career area while getting to teach the next generation of career professionals.
Gary
Hi Daniel,
Good way to offer different learning opportunities to and for your students. Students like competition and enjoy having the chance to show off what they know.
Gary
Showing your student that you care enough to listen will go a long way. Your point is well taken that you don't need the skill set to solve every problem but knowing where to send the student is very helpful.
I always read the student comments and the responses. Student responses give me the opportunity to review my negative points and the areas that need improvement. I develop my strategies to specifically address these issues.
I would love to see this as a great way for professional development. I try to get feedback throughout the course as my main source. I find all to often - that the only students who fill out surveys, evals... are the ones unsatisfied with their grades. It's discouraging that many are fueled only because they are disgruntled or disappointed. In my current online experiences, the format of online vs. face to face - leads to one saying things more strongly than he/she might in a face to face situation. This is similar to what I see in evals, surveys... But, of course, confidentiality is key to an honest submission.
I do continually seek feedback as despite how many times a course is taught, there will be a student who percieves things in a completely different way or misunderstand. This is the feedback and learning I take with me from term to term - and count on for it's genuine value vs. anger.
As a private practioner or psychologist, I use these skills as well to take in feedback and discern what is productive. I feel I am continually learning as much as the students each term ( for professional development) but also have to take many CEU hours/courses to maintain my license. Together, these things work for me and help me to be flexible, honest, open and accepting of honesty for my personal teaching development.
Louis,
I view student feeback as an excellent way to judge potential areas of professional development. This course is showing me that professional development goes beyond the technical development of my field.
Jim
