Eric, thanks for the techniques. I really like the mentorship.
I also do best when I serve as a mentor for my students. I think that you have to remember that you were once in their shoes.
~Cassey
Hi All. I teach online courses and use the following techniques:
1. Upbeat tone...I always use a positive tone (can do) when communicating with students.
2. Mentorship...I do my best to serve as a mentor for my students. I even offer to stay in touch beyond the course in order to answer any career related questions/being a job reference/writing letters of recommendation.
3. Care: I remember what it was like to be a student (I always keep this in the back of my mind)...Thus, I try to stay on top of the challenges students face when trying to complete the course...Thus, I use active listening/communication skills to help students to succeed. Best, Eric Freeman
lecturer, class participation
Do self evaluations .continue to take classes .maybe video tape my self during my lectures ,to see what improvements I can make peer reviews
Dr. Meers, I like this strategy. I will use this in my classes going forward. Thank you.
I also belive that I am a mentor, manager and model when it comes to my style of teaching.
I use chocolate. When they participate, I toss them a goodie. Your students may like something else, but mine liked chocolate.
I think I want to start keeping a journal of my classes that I am teaching and as I learn of ways I can improve I will journal my thoughts and make the corrections needed later. I am just starting out but I feel like I have been doing my profession for years. Does teaching feel like this?
Hi Loretta,
This is a common situation for most instructors. A strategy for getting the students involved in the discussions and answering questions is to put them in groups of three-four. Present a question and have each group come up with solutions. Have a student report out on what the group came up with. Do another round and have another student report out from each group. Do rounds of this until each member of each group has presented to the class. This really helps to get the students comfortable in talking and interacting in the class. Granted some students will always be more talkative than others but it really helps to get the more shy students involved.
Gary
I am one year into being an adjunct instructor. I really enjoy teaching, school nights and my students.
I feel that I have been given a great opportunity and want to make sure that my students are the benefactors. I am well liked and highly professional, but I don't feel like my students engage in discussion. I wait for them to answer a question that has been posed, but they are still reluctant to answer or get engaged.
I am hopeful that I can find the right tools to help me learn more about engaging the students more, it seems that they are afraid that they will answer something incorrectly and look badly. I try to encourage them, and even when they give an incorrect answer I don't critisize them.
Does everyone have these issues? If you have been able to tackle them, please let me know how to achieve this in my classes.
First of all, i would be organized and prepared for the day's lessons. I would lecture and try to use lay person terminology to help the students understand what i am talking about.
I use some of my own personal experiences as part of my instructional style. It helps to make the point of something that the student(s) don't necessarily understand.
Hi Curtis,
You are on the right track with this type of instructional analysis. I know you are going to develop into a top notch instructor by being open to how you can improve each time you teach a course.
Gary
I believe the techniques I can work on are my stance and posture. I tend to dance a bit on the platform rather than move in a purposful manner. Further, I need to improve my organization and and preparation. When I have time to get my material in order my presentation is much more polished and effective.
Hi Ronald,
This is a great way to bring current events into the class as well as keep their interest through the medial format. How do your students respond to this type of presentation?
Thanks.
Gary
Hi Mark,
As they say practice makes perfect so you are on the right track. You might want to use some small group activities and discussion sessions to help you ease into being in front of the class. Develop a 15-20 lecture with supporting media, deliver it and then have a discussion session this will let you relax a bit because the attention shifts around the room as different students talk. Then you can do another lecture, then another activity and before you know it you will feel at ease in front of your students. I wish you the best in your teaching efforts.
Gary
I can relate to that, and it has happened to me before. So now that I come across something that I think I need to do more research on, I go online and research the topic for more information and comprehension. It's a good way to learn and I usually come across new information that I didn't know before.
I guess the saying, "you learn something new everyday" is true!
On the first day of class, I hand out a sheet asking how each student obtains information the best, either by lectures, PowePoint presentations or hands on activities. If I have students that learn better doing hands on activities, I adjust my teaching techniques to those needs.
Of course along with hands on, I also prepare lectures to be presented but to a minimal. I try to switch teaching styles to accommodate the needs of every student.
I use photos or video clips from the news media on some of my classes to place an emphasis on the matter
