I agree that this would be very helpful. Especially for me, being that I am a new instructor. It kind of gives an idea of their expectations of me.
Get a feedback from my students always helps me to better understand their needs and helps me develop myself as an instructor.
Hi Jessica,
By working at it you will know their names within the two week period. This will help you earn their respect and create rapport with them, making the course go smoothly.
Gary
I'd like to utilize guest speakers in the future to give a little more depth to what we do in class, as I primarily use a lecture format, with group exercises, writing prompts and game reviews.
Personally, I'd like to refine my style a bit to be more relaxed, as I have everything pretty planned out when I get to class in terms of what we will discuss when and what exercises we will do. It's good to be organized, but I think a little more freedom would help keep students engaged
My course is introductory, so students have a very wide range of abilities and understanding of basic principles. What might be considered repetition could also be considered review. Also, with basic principles, instructors have different perspectives. I encourage students to take note of how those perspectives differ, as this critical thinking is an important part of the learning process.
Deanna, you have given me a great idea. Although my students are asked to complete an end-of-course survey which is shared with me, there is no reason why I couldn't ask students for more feedback, specifically on the subject of my instructional style.
With being a new instructor, I believe with every class I should be able to know their names with faces within the first 2 weeks.
Certainly, the technology changes and advances every week it seems. It's a challenge to keep up with it, but this makes it even more crucial to stay current (otherwise it's easy to fall behind the students in emerging tech).
Great point! In a given class, it's common a lot of times to have a really wide range of students and learning needs. As you said, it can mean a lot of repetition, but it also means every class day is different in making sure every student moves forward. Of course, some days are more successful than others.
One thing I've come to rely heavily on is observing the styles and results of other instructors at my school. Seeing what works well for them helps me be more objective about my own approach.
Hi Talina,
This is a wonderful opportunity for you to gain valuable knowledge and experience from these fellow educators. They will be able to help you with your professional development in practical and supportive ways.
Gary
It also may creep some of the students out.
I ask my former students whatthey feel has helped them learn the most in each of their classes.
I also create an environment in the classroom where students feel comfortable to make suggestions. I get feedback often.
In my experience ( of teaching for more than 25 year at the college level), one of the most important "instructional style" has been one-on-one contact hours beyond the classroom setting.
The beauty or the problem of "instructional style" is that there is no single formula that fits every situation. And there shouldn't be, as we all are different.
Even if all the teachers in America take this training course, helping some unscrupulous person (s) become wealthy, that situation does not necessarily mean our educational system will improve overnight, for all the assessment and other efforts focus ONLY on teacher performance, never the whole picture involving the ontological circumstance of the learner.
What a sad half-truth!
Hi Joslynn,
This is a very important professional improvement strategy. By reflecting and noting what occurred within this lecture and these activities you know what to use again or what changes you need to make. It means that each time you teach the course it is different and improved from the previous one.
Gary
I've asked other instructors to sit in on some classes and give me pointers
I recently participated in an instructors in service and the speaker said that because everyone uses cell phones now he passed his around and told his students to take a picture of themselves and save it with their names. This seems like it may help but if your class is really large it may be a little too time consuming.
I am fortunate to work with a group of instructors who have quite a few more years in the field than I do and are always willing to share information and advice. I have only been teaching a year and have had challenges with keeping students attention. They do get bored with their texts so it is a challenge to make the learning fun for them.
Hi Michael,
Good point and well said. By knowing ourselves we are creating a base from which we can operate. Then we can expand on this base to include different instructional strategies and techniques that are customized to the current class.
Gary
For once, one must remain current on our educational level and clinical skill. Also, reading our journals and other publications will provide new information that then can be delievered in the classroom.
