I got close to two of my aunts on my college
days. One was the Dean of the College of Nursing, and she taught my class on ethics. She was strict and dedicated. My other aunt was the high school principal. She was approachable and dedicated and fun. They inspired me to be an educator. They showed me the ways to teach and how to be with students.
Being an educator of an ER department, I spend time in the clinical area at least 2 hours a day to visualize application of my teaching in orientation, and assess the need for better patient care. I compliment good patient care.If there are processes that need improved, I plan, and consult with the ER director, manager and Clinical Nurse Specialist the classes or inservices the nurses need. I utilize different departments' input for the topic, hospital guidelines, Joint Commission guidelines, Bd of Nursing guidelines, Reading ER Core Curriculum book, Education Dept. Director's input.
Anatomy and Physiology was hard. Our teacher was a doctor and she gave examples like you did. She made most of us love the subject, with corresponding high grades.
I also believe in informative, interactive, up to date teaching. To achieve this goal,I attend as many seminars, workshops, conferences as I can. The latest one was the Emergency Nurses Association Conference in Georgetown, Ky. It was very informative and fun, with excellent speakers.
Reading several resource books
Watch,listen, read current news
Listening to different speakers
Taking courses as this
Hi Sarah,
Good point. I train individuals to become special education teachers so I know how great the skills developed as special education instructors are for all students. By using the knowledge you have of what is effective for your son your students will benefit from this targeted instruction.
Gary
I can expand my instructional abilities by being up to date on my course material and always being on the look out for new articles pertaining to my class.
1) Learn by watching other successful instructors.
2) Stay up to date in your specialized area of training.
3) Attempt a new training/instructional technique or method.
Having a son with a learning disability, I know how important it is to be able to deliver my instructional material in a way that all of my student's can learn. Not all students learn in the same way so my lesson has to be able to reach all students.
I can expand my instructional abilities by attending seminars and workshops; scoping out the environment of my class to see what they respond to best; and recognizing my weaknesses in order to improve.
I expand my instructional abilities by:
1. getting ideas from other instructors
2. watching videos online
3. asking students what they would like for me to do to help them learn
4. reviewing my notes at the end of a class and modifying my techniques if something did not work in the delivery
5. inviting another instructor to perform an in-class observation of my class to give me feedback
6. watch myself on tape to see how I present the material and observe body language that may be distracting the students
7. observing other instructors who have outstanding techniques
Hi Tina,
Good ideas for professional development. The more exposure you can get the more options you will have to chose from when selecting your instructional deliveries. It is very common for college instructors to set in on other instructor's classes. Just ask if it is ok with that instructor and you will be good to go.
Gary
Being a new instructor I would like to be able to watch other instructors in action. I also feel like my lectures are just a bit too much so perhaps I need to vary some class processes by experimenting with group learning and other different approaches in order to be a well rounded teacher. I've never seen college teachers sit in on another teacher's class so I am wondering how common it is and if it is feasible?
By sitting in on other instructors presentations and picking up various techniques that I could incorporate into my teaching style.
By participating in professional inservices and viewing new medical equipment techniques.
By reading about instructional techniques that could be used, and participating in a CEE course.
Hi Jennifer,
Good point. Also, students need to learn to work in other formats as they will have to when they are in the work world so the more opportunities we give them to expand their learning expertise the greater service we are providing them.
Gary
Great advice! It is true that some methods will be easier for an individual than others, but variety will keep the students attention.
Determinig students learning styles are crucial to the learning envrionment and ensuring that students are successful
It is very important for instructors not to be comfortable with their current teaching methods...not all students learn the same.
The are a multitude of strategies for instructor to adopt and employ.
On way to expand instructional abilities is by completing workshops. Insturctor will have the opportunity to enhance their role as instructors, facilitators, and instructional leaders
I'm also new to teaching and I teach adults in an accelerated format. One of the challenges for me is to keep the class interesting for 3 to 4 hours. Initially I utilized almost solely lecture but lately I have incorporated other methods to maintain my students attention. I will utilize some of the ideas in this forum for future classes.
I observe the students at the beginning of a new class. I notice the responses when I lecture with power point, writing on the board and live demonstrations.
I use a bit of all techniques to capture all the learning styles and keep the class engaged.
