Hi Gary,
Thanks for sharing this information on learning preferences.
Gary
My current focus on this issue is understanding the current student body- their concerns, potential and the balancing of work related problems as part of going to a commuter school. So I am finding new motivational tools to keep them focused on class projects. A lot of pep talking really.
Because I am a nursing instructor it is extremely important that I stay update to date with new technology, treatments etc.. I read many nursing journals and am a member of several nursing organizations that help me stay current. Monitoring my students progress on assessments is another way I refine and enhance my instructional style.
I need to get more speakers to come into class. I know my students would love this!
Thank you!
June
I haven't seen that happen, but I suppose it could. When I see an educator who is exhibiting a great deal of energy or enthusiasm it almost always spreads to the class. I can see where "too much" energy might distract from the content the educator might be trying to provide to the students.
Bill
I like enhancing my instructional style by attending meetings of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists and the American Educators in Imaging Sciences Society. They both offer classes with examples of a variety of instructional styles. I also like going on the Internet and engaging with courses like this one to always look at different ways of teaching and student learning styles. I have been teaching in my area for 37 years and obtained a master's degree in electronic education. Besides face-to-face educational delivery, I have been teaching online classes since 2000. Still another way of expanding my collection of different instructional styles is watching my fellow instructors as every now and then, one of them will come up with a unique idea. I think the main thing is keeping your eyes and ears always open and observant and maintain a keen desire to want to be better at what you do with a compassion to wanting to be a key role in making the students' lives better.
Bill
I like to sit in on other instructors to get different ideas on instructional style. How does another instructor present it, and can it work for me and allow for me to change it up when needed with in the class.
I usually ask another colleague instructor to evaluate my teaching skills to further improve my instructional style. The feedback helps me to assess my instructional style and try to modify or change my skills.
Does anyone feel to much energy or passion from an instructor may come across as to much to the students?
Hi Tammi,
This is good advice for all new instructors. Build your instructional base upon your abilities and strengths. The emotional intelligence within which you work then helps to build the relationships you need to create with your students.
Gary
I agree that being excited and creative are very important in teaching. I use a great deal of enthusiasm especially when I notice students are not paying attention. I also make sure the students understand what they are learning will be useful in their life's work when they have to produce work for their employer and the recall they have will really aid them in their projects.
The best techniques that I can employ to further develop, refine and enhance my instructional style is to communicate with my students and always look for ways to improve.
To me communicate mean more than me doing all the talking. I have to take the time to listen to them. Give them time to think about a subject. If I am listening I will see where and why my students are struggling with a topic. It might be due to teaching it too fast. If this is the case I have to slow down my presentation.
The other way to improve my teaching style can come from taking a course or reading articles. Or watching a professional. We all can learn by watching and reading.
Good point about sharing excitement over the materials. Doing this in an application based context tends to work well!
My instructional style is based on awareness. Awareness of myself, my personal experiences and my academic experiences. The key is building an instructional style around these foundational components while making certain you are aware of the school and the students being served by the school. It is a collective effort to deliver excellence.
being creative and excited about the subject you are teaching has a lot to do with how much attention you being getting from the student. When a student notices that their intructor has passion for what they are teaching, that with in itself can make a world of a difference.
I agree i would like to use the variety of instructional styles to accomodete the different type of learners in the class. moreover as a MSN student i like instructors use different types of instructional methodes in the course material. As i am modeled by my previous great instructors and i found the different instructional styles contribute to the positive learning outcome.
Hi Robert,
A quote that I like to use is "the beginning of wisdom is the willingness to listen". This is what you are doing when you get input and advice from other instructors. This is beneficial to us all no matter how long we have been teaching.
Gary
Hi Lisa,
Spoken like the dedicated instructor that you are. To be effective you do have to "read" your students and then direct your instruction toward what their learning preferences are. This will help to increase their learning as well as motivate them toward success.
Gary
I think you make a good point about other instructors and their methods – one I have used and forgot to mention. I have had some insightful conversations with other instructors in my discipline about how to approach aspects of our classes. I have learned and employed some great techniques gained from them, and have been told the reciprocal is true. Thank you!
There are no doubt many techniques available, and I look forward to learning about them in this curriculum. So far, the most useful to me have been the mirrors of student performance, student feedback, and faculty observations. I have made various adjustments by “triangulating†information from these sources of information. These have served me well, but I am interested in building further upon what has been working.
