Hi Angela,
Good to hear. Looking forward to hearing how it works for you.
Gary
Hi Debra,
You are making progress as indicated by your comments about how things are coming together better for you this week. Plan mini-lectures and group activities with discussion sessions when possible and you will do fine as you define and refine your instructional style.
Have fun with your teaching and enjoy your interaction with the students this will help you to see how you are developing as an instructor.
Gary
I would like to sit in on the classes of other instructors to view their instructional style. I think it would also be useful to have seasoned instructors sit in on my classes from time to time to give me feed back on the positives of my instructional style and areas which could use improvement.
I enjoy teaching, I found it takes many styles to reach student in the online environment. The most key critical component is to show your students that you care; this could be difficult to achieve with online classes. E mail and instant messages lack the intonations commonly expressed in a one on one conversation. To express a sense of compassion and to show that you really care should be your question. To reach a student that is not involved should be your challenge.
You have two opportunities to make contact, to set the tone. The can make all the differences. Your grade comments must show that you are there for the student. The second element is to communicate via e mail. This initial contact is your gateway.
First complement, second, inform the student of the areas he/she did well. Then gently address the missing elements “It appears that you commented to no oneâ€.
In part:
“Very good write… you properly addressed all assignment elements. Nice work.
You were required to respond to at least three other postings. It appears that you commented to no oneâ€. Follow this up with an instructional e mail. This student improved.
To reach this point in effectively communicating with student could not have been accomplished alone. I had help from a close friend.
Do you think your teaching style differ in online classes and ground classes? Do you think your teaching style would differ if you were teaching a class and no one in class? This is a common element in online classes.
Although I have had some teaching experience, my new environment is certainly causing me to look closely at my teaching style. Taking advantage of our mentoring program and actually watching other instructors seems to be an important step. I am also taking a hard look at the stypes of past instructors.
I have also used the method of entertainment in my class, because the subject matter can be overwhelming. One avenue is for each student to bring in labels of all the item they consume during the day. Then, I relate the labels with the subject matter we are discusiing that day, for example vitamins, I enlighted them on the true nature on what the label is saying, then what it is actually saying, and how the lack of certain vitamins, and minerals can lead to problems in the long term. And, you are right that throwing "humor" in the mix of lecture does erode your sense of assertiveness, and I believe with experience in the field, will enable you to keep a harmonious balance.
To work on preparing an agenda for my Live Chats that relates key Live Chat content to key text learning points.
Mark McMullen
Great Idea Gary.
I'm going to use this one.
Thanks
Angela
I've found this to be the case with my students. Patient guidance is the key while also maintaining structure. Angela S.
I usually ask the students who are graduating on their final few days to give me feedback on what worked for them and what didn't. These students are honest based on the fact that they have been through the entire curriculum and are able to point out what needs improvment whether it be in the course or my teaching style. They are also leaving and are less intimitated by sharing their views.
I believe that the classes we take through our school help so much with developing new and creative styles to present information to the adult learner.
I read the student surveys provided by the college and reflect on what I could have done differently to assist a broader scope of learning styles.
For me developing my instructional style involves continued professional development through taking additional courses. I am currently working my EdS degree and should be completed at the end of next year. This allows me to develop my leadership skills by studying current methods and styles. In addition, I am learning more effective teaching styles and practices within each of my classes.
I like to receive feedback from my students.
The last quiz of the course - the last question on the quiz - is:
If you had to do this class over again, what would you do different.
This helps me determine what I might do different / better to assist the student more.
I am a new instructor. I was hired on the fly since the previous instructor departed one week before classes started. I found it difficult to get the required forms done and prepare adequately for the first class. My instructional style is still developing and the lecture is my challenge. This week I had more time to prepare and feel more relaxed and competent that the lecture will go better. Any other ideas for a new instructor?
One of the ways that nursing students are encouraged to reflect on their learning is through journaling. Journaling is a personal reflection on their learning path, but not a diary of their thoughts. In graduate school I had to journal and was able to my school life with real life experiences.
I like to insert a lot of questions for the students into any lectures to keep the students involved.
Hi Jennifer,
"Reading" the class is a key way to identify the instructional styles that will be most effective for your students. Your strategy for doing this provides variety for your students and will help to keep them engaged in the learning process.
Gary
