I am a new instructor, and my first
"official class" was an online Critical Thinking course. I found that observing more experienced online instructors within their classroom environment has been helpful, as well as conferring with them through asynchronous messaging.
I have the option, unlike most online adjunct instructors, of seeing the administrative side of operating an online school, and therefore, I have more tools available to me to enhance my skills as an online teacher. I have access to tools and forums that otherwise would be challenging to view and participate within.
With this course and other MaxKnowledge tools that my school has made available to instructors, I am developing a professional development plan, and assessing my current skill level in academia from many years of technical experience in the private sector.
Hi Jeremy,
Great goal. Keep working on those skills and you will become the teacher of merit that you want to be.
Gary
I have found that when teaching similar course content to groups of varied ages or educational backgrounds, I need to utilize different teaching methods.
For me personally I want to master Power Point, don't get me wrong, I think I am ok on P.P. but I want to be better than I am at using all the tools P.P. has to offer. I want to carve out a strong teaching style that grabs the ear and stays in ones mind. I want to continue to master the concepts of business and continue to develope as a professional.
Take more classes, read books on teaching, come up with learning activities and practice lecturing
Hi Susan,
Pick your area of greatest need and work on getting it like you want it. It is like the age old question "How do you eat an elephant?" Answer--"One bite at a time." If you try to fix everything you won't get much of anything done but by concentrating on one area to get the handouts completed, media prepared and lecture formatted you will be able to move to the next area and so forth.
Any questions on this or if I can be of any help to you let me know.
Thanks.
Gary
I am new to the formal post-secondary education format. I need to learn to use technology more effectively and better manage the lecture to active learning ratio to keep my students awake and more engaged. This is a struggle for me. Finding the resources to learn these skills is time consuming, time that I don't have a lot of. Each term I think I am improving in these areas, but it seems to be a slow process.
The best way to expand my instructional abilities is to continue to educate myself through taking classes, reading and discussing pedagogy with my manager and peers.
Hi James,
Great way to get input from a variety of sources so you can get the different perspectives on how to improve your instructional delivery.
Gary
There is ceu classes for more information I also enjoy having other instructors sit in om my class..Sometimes a small detail can be observed by someone else to your gain.
joe
There are many ways you can expand your instructional abilities. A few of my favorites are:
1. Observe other instructors. You can learn many things from watching more experienced instructors.
2. Have others observe you to determine your strengths and weaknesses as an instructor.
3. Take classes relating to teaching, classroom management and professionalism.
Ilike to take students on field trips to spas and then discuss spa treatments,this approach also helps instructors to refresh what they are teaching along with showing students workplace
joe knight
I think it is important to get feedback from your students. Also being able to be flexible, some don't learn as easy as others.
Hi John,
This is a key point. We need to remember our experiences as students both good and bad and then plan our instructional delivery from those experiences.
Gary
Have you ever asked your students if they understand and retain what you are teaching
i see alot teachers that just read out of a book and they forgot how to teach. Please remember when you were in that seat of the student
Hi Cheryl,
You have a great approach to making foundational knowledge enjoyable to learn. English is essential for all of us to be effective in our careers. Like your misplaced modifier example. My favorite is "was introduced to a man with one eye, named Marvin". Always have wondered what was the name of his other eye?
Gary
I have found this to true whether I'm teaching Enlgish or computer skills. Involving students in English is obviously more challenging but I do that having them tell me the bad examples of language that they've heard and used. Misplaced modifiers are another example. "I will always remember standing on the dock baiting the hook with my grandfather" has always gotten laughs!
with the 5 c's
Technical competence
professional competence
personal competence
In my opinion, there are several resources available at our fingertips! I am an avid Internet-searcher and have found many pointers from other instructors online. I also am always looking for opportunities to learn from my colleagues as well as continuing education opportunities both within my institution and with other organizations.
