I also agree that feedback is very important - each session provides more insight about how to improve the content of the course. Sometimes I just use it internally for my classes, but if it is a significant issue I usually pass the informatio on to senior faclty members for review.
That's a great idea! My classes are usually a mixed bag of ages and stages. When I identify students who have some experience in the course or atleast the phase that I am teaching I ask them if they would be part of a forum or a discussion board so that they can share their experiences with other students. It has been very successful.
One important way to further develop, refine and enhance my instructional style is to continue my education. We should never 'assume' that we know it all. The worst instructors are the ones who rely on the same, tired and dated material to teach. We should never feel 'comfortable' but continue to strive for greater excellence.
During my years as a team leader, instructor, mentor, and director the one thing that I always try to convey to my students/employees - is that I am here to teach, advise, and most importantly to share my knowledge and experience.
Knowledge is power - butrestricted knowledge is tainted and serves no purpose. I try to provide my students with as much information as I can, encouraging them to explore other resourses, and providing links and titles for these resources. Secondly, I am available - not only to my current students, but also to former students who have questions or need help.
My role as instructor does not stop when the class is over. It is a commitment to continue the teaching process until the student graduates or moves on to their chosen career field.
One thing I used to tell my employees when I would provide training in the office and in the field was: "I am giving you this information and training because who knows when I might be captured by aliens and wisked off the planet! Someone must be able to pick up the ball and run with it if I am gone."
This usually brings out a chuckle - but the truth is that my role, and my teaching style is based on the philosophy that my responsibility is to impart knowledge, to share my experience, and to train for the future.
Very true Daniel. It sometimes is a tough line to follow. Being supportive and understanding yet not bending the rules and expectations.
I'm enrolled at Capella University and we are reading a text called Becoming a Critically Reflective Teacher. It has many wonderful strategies for developing and enhancing your instructional style. One in particular was called a CIQ or Critical Incident Questionaire. This 5 question survey is given to students at the end of each week of class. They reflect on the lessons and give feedback to the instructor on things such as: their most memorable or engaging moment, what or why were they engaged, their most confused or frustrating moment, etc. It allows teachers to quickly change their style as opposed to looking at an end of course survey. Those surveys only benefit the next set of students and it may not reflect the learning styles and needs of that group. At any rate, at the end of the semester students summarize their answers to these questionaires for a project grade utilizing reflective writing. I have not tried it yet but plan to the next sememster.
We can all show empathy. If we have sympathy, from the definition, we "share" their feelings. If we empathise we "intellectually" know about their predicament. We have so much to do and cannot drain our energy emotionally about something we have no control over. By remaining clear about our role we can be the role model our students expect and need.
I am discovering that learning is a mutual/reciprocity modality. I also learn from my students. I gain more crystallized intelligence as we matriculate together.
First...I've been learning that effective teaching occurs to quick responses when a student asks at non opportune times. Basically, seizing the moment when the student is ready to learn.
Second...involvement in planning. Assure everybody is involved in identifying his learning needs and outcomes and require direct involvement.
Third...reward desired learning with praise.
Praising desired learning outcomes or behavior improves the chances that the students will retain the material or repeat the behavior.
My instructional style is very structured at times. I like to stick to the material I'm teaching, which sometimes leaves little room for creativity and flexibility. Recently, I added brainstorming sessions to my class lectures, and students really enjoy them. This technique allows students and me to think outside box a little. Each session is unique, and increases my confidence and enhances my instructional style.
PS- I teach accounting !
Hi Richard,
This is what instructional improvement is all about. By getting feedback and assessing where your students are you are able to more accurately target the learning needs of your students. Good strategy, keep up the good work.
Gary
Hi Karen,
The more information about and feedback from your students that you can acquire benefits your instructional planning and delivery. This way each time you teach the course you will be able to more accurately target the learning needs of your students.
Gary
I have sarted to give quick, weekly quizes with in class grading. These quizes and answer sessions have allowed me to asses how the lessons are proceeding on a weekly basis. With this knowledge and the students input I am able to taylor my lectures to keep my class interested. They have been improving. It also allows me to share my excitement for the subject.
Techniques to enhance my instruction style are to continue to attend workshops/inservices/online courses, communicate with other instructors, observe other instructors instructional style (maybe have one of your colleagues critique you) and ask students for input.
Not only are we mentors but we are facilitators. I always say to students that the person who talks the most learns the most, so they do the talking most of the time.
I like the idea of giving the students a survey to help make changes with the instruction and the syllabus. After all, they are your audience.
Hi Jacqueline,
Great way to keep you pulse on the class and help you to keep moving forward in your instructional expertise.
Gary
Hi Morgan,
One strategy would be to keep a journal of how you felt about a just concluded class. By writing down your observations you can get a feel of how you are working with students over a period of time. Another strategy would be to video tape your class. This will show you how you are coming across and your presentation methods. Have another instructor observe you while teaching and give you feedback. All of these things will help you to refine your presentation and instructional style.
Gary
I reflect daily after my class/clinical meeting how I could have improved my communication with my students. I not only answer their questions, or encourage the student to use critical thinking skills to answer his/her own question, but I listen to the question being asked and reflect how I could have presented the material differently.
I also use reflection as a means to determine if I should have used a different teaching method to communicate the material to the students. Reflection allows me to build on each class/clinical meeting.
Understanding that each student brings with them prior educational experiences is extremely important. In addition, being sensitive to the fact that personal situations affect the ability to learn course material is important. An effective instructor should be able to adapt to any given situation at any time. Each day is predictably unpredictable so the instructor must be prepared to be flexible. Since I've been an instructor, I've had all generations in my class at the same time. I've had to adapt to the technological needs of the younger student while bringing the students, who aren't as technologically advanced, up to speed by showing them how it relates to the field.
What techniques can you employ to further develop, refine and enhance your instructional style?
I tell my students how they are progressing
Learning is made easier when the students are aware of their progress. Positive feedback can motivate them to greater effort because it makes their goal seem attainable. Also, I ask my students how they feel they are doing. They probably want to take part in assessing their own progress toward learning goals, and their input can guides my feedback. I find their reactions are usually based on what "feels right
Hi Ashley,
Look at the instructional delivery you are using to teach the content. I teach a general education required course so my students are not very motivated when they walk into the class the first time. They don't see any value to what I am teaching. By using a number of different delivery strategies, learning groups, etc. I am able to get the engaged and focused on what we are doing in the class. Do I get them all-no but I am able to keep the class forward focused and I don't let the negative students take over the class. This sets the tone for an enjoyable class where students learn.
I will be glad to talk with you further about your course content and explore ideas of delivery with you if you want. Just let me know and I will help in any way I can.
Gary
