Learning more about my field through textbooks, articles, and my peers helps me develop and build on my instructional sytle.
I also incorporate much of my own learning into my classroom by referring to notes I took as a undergrad and graduate student.
Being a fairly new instructor, I find trial and error works for me when trying new strategies in my teaching.
Good Morning,
I like to teach with different instructors in different modules if possible. I have found that each instructor has one or two things that they accel at and they are solid at the basics general knowledge. I like to see how they employ what they are best at on a day to day basis and I learn a great deal with them.
Another technique is to do peer assessments in a mach teaching scenario. At first I did not like the idea but I found that the critiques were useful and each chef had a different take on what they saw. We had a round table discussion about the scenario and a lot of positive feedback was given.
Thanks,
G
Hi Jeni,
You make a good point. We need to get the students to "invest" in the course through contributions like discussions and presentations. They need to feel accepted into the course and comfortable that they have something to contribute.
Gary
Hi Thomas,
You are going to do fine as an instructor. Your taking of the advice of your previous instructor is a way to get yourself grounded as an instructor. He gave you a good quote from which to operate. Each time you teach a course it will get better in terms of flow. In addition, your comfort level will go up and you will be able to really enjoy the exchange you have with your students. This is why we all became teachers in the first place. We love working with students. Welcome to the profession.
Gary
Hi Meghan,
Good plan. You hit upon all of the critical elements of instructional development. By being organized, planning carefully and providing dynamic relevant content you are giving your students what they have to enrolled to get, professional instruction.
Gary
Hi Mark,
Good plan. Both you and your students will benefit from all your efforts. I wish you the best in your graduate program.
Gary
I also feel strongly about asking the students to interact in our topics. If a student feels they are contributing, they tend to stay involved. I like to do as many hands and interactive activities as possible. Engaging the students and staying enthusiastic are the key to keeping them interested.
I like to do periodic evaluations from my students to make sure they are recieving the information in a way that works for them. I ask them what is working best in my class and what may work better. I also encourage feedback to both help me, become a stronger teacher, and to make sure I am addressing my students needs.
I am experienced in my field, but brand new as an instructor. I've been remembering a line from a jr college broadcast instructor that I think will help me out on the behavior front. What he said was "you already know how to be yourself. What we are trying to do is put professional behaviors in place so you will have a structure for a demanding profession. So work on the basics until they are second nature, then have fun being yourself as a old pro later."
Think this is good first day stuff for first day students?
There are several techniques I can employ. For instance, as I have a very far commute to work each day, I can try and arrange to have all of my work for the next day organized and ready to go, so that each day I can be ready to start class as soon as possible. I can also attempt to refine the information I give during lectures, so that it is more dynamic and relevant. Also, I can break up lectures into smaller pieces so that I can keep students interest at a maximum.
I would go out and research my specific field and maybe enroll in a master's class to develop better tech. skills. Then I would apply them in class as needed.
Hi Matthew,
Great ideas for professional development. You are blending your knowledge of instructional delivery with current knowledge of the field. Your students are getting the latest and best from your instruction.
Gary
I enjoy auditing classes taught by other instructors. So often one is able to gleen techniques that one would incorporate in their own class, or, pick up on tics that might need to be avoided.
Staying fresh and informed in my field is very important to me. I try to get out in the field at least once a year for a week or more at a time. I find that it enhances my enthusiasm and tecnical prowess, which is directly reflected in my instructional style.
Surveys and students feedback are very important to improve my instructional style.
Hi Russell,
Thanks for sharing these different examples of how to develop your professional abilities. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Hi Paula,
Constant reflection helps to bring about positive development. You have revealed a good for making this happen in your teaching.
Gary
Hi Joseph,
Work on some little ways of making the course content more interesting and bring some additional humor into the lectures. Through these little steps you will have revamped your delivery before you know it.
Gary
Hi Jorge,
Good way of making connections between current life and what the students are studying.
Gary
Hi Terry,
Good method of bringing the outside into the class. The shadowing helps keep it real for everyone. Good job.
Gary
Hi John,
Good points all on how to make the content real based upon the sharing of experiences. This will help the students to see the reasons for why they are studying what they are.
Gary
