Your Instructional Style
What techniques can you employ to further develop, refine and enhance your instructional style?
I believe that by sharing experiences it helps show how the material relates in a real world environment.
I have found that having one style is not enough because my initial style of having students to present situations in which they are applying information they have acquired from homework assignments and reading in simulated situations in the class requires a knowledge base. When students have failed to complete reading assignments, I find it difficult to continue the class without lecturing.
My area of expertise is the law. I have been a practicing lawyer for over 20 years. Teaching Business Law can be very dry, so the incorporation of real life experience in the courtroom and in the closing room can be a valuable tool to getting across a point of law.
Although each instructor has their own style coming into the class it is important to tailor that style based on the student body you are working with. As an instructor in dental assisting we have new students introduced every 12 weeks so I may enter planning to teach one way and find that I need to make adjustments. Both continuing education and advice from a fellow instructor can help to tweak your style as well.
I found this technique to be a great way to begin a class. For example, on the first day I like to assign an in-class writing assignment to ensure I assess the level of writing of each student.
I find that being mobile in the classroom and lab keeps my students more focused.
To enhance and further develop, I think that it is important to understand the needs of the students. For example, a lot of students work full time and attend classes. It is definitely important to make sure the material is interesting and holds their attention after a long 8 hour day. In addition, it may require an instructor to provide additional guidance and explanation.
I like the students to be envolved in there learning so that I can tell what types of learning styles I have in class.
taylor your instruction to the students you have
Utilize an eclectic style that will meet the needs of the students based on the content of the instruction and the in instructional objective(s).
Lecture, group work and /or hands on instruction should always be dictated by the objective and purpose of the lesson.
The techniques that I can employ to further develop, refine and enhance my instructional style, is to first truly know what is my style and confidently share it with my students. Then I should evaluate the student's responses to my instructional style. I would be searching for the areas that I need to develop, refine and enhance that would make me a more effective instructor.
I think it is very important to stay up to speed with the latest interests of our students. An example of that would be using iPads and chat rooms along with a possible web based video on the topic matter that were teaching at that time. Dr. Meers I was wondering what your take on a video lesson plan once and a while for the students instead of a lecture? Thanks for your very interesting views that I have read so far.
To answer this question, one must understand what different instructional styles are recognized in order to be able to identify one's own unique teaching style. It is also important to recognize the pro's and con's of the different styles. The University of South Carolina has a nice summary located at http://www.sc.edu/cte/guide/teachingstyles/.
It is extremely important that, as instructors, we model the requirements that are implemented in the workplace.
When reviewing student work in the classroom, I ask them to explain, in detail, what and why they used that formula or chose that step. I do not just have them read their solution.
The techniques I believe I can employ to enhance my instructional style is to listen to the students. Listening has so many benefits. I think it helps to develop student/instructor trust, instructors can better facilitate a student's educational needs, and listening is a good communicative tool to model for the students.
One technique would be to learn the different learning styles of my students and plan lessons to their strengths while setting clear and concise expectations throughout the course while remaining supportive, encouraging and flexible when needed.
I like hands on learning, more simulation equipment
Finding ways to utilize the course work and putting this into practical realistic uses; using examples and asking for examples from students.
