Using one of the attributes of Instructional Style mentioned in the ED101 course, "your instructional style needs to reflect your knowledge of your field." I always start my first class with a full description of my professional work experiences, and education. This is to confirm, that I have been there, and done that. From that point on, I like to cross reference my experience with materials in the labs, lectures, and text book information. I do this to reinforce that the new skills they are learning have significance in the work place.
I find that I tend to read from the power points, I hate it but I want to make sure I dont miss any important information. Any suggestons.
I used Powerpoint and examples from the newspapers, movies books and multi media. I find that the student do not read the textbook thinking they only need the powerpoints (I format the powerpoints so they can be printed). Do you think that I should change this ascept of the course?
I think as instructors we should always be willing to try new things. I have recently went to work at the college I graduated from. I have found some of the instructors that I had 5 years ago still use the exact same lectures, demonstrations, and films to make their points. During my last semester I had a class full of students who were all 4th year Bachelor students. They had written so many term papers that I knew they wouldn't have any enthusiasm for it so I decided to let them do a debate. It was the first time I had tried it in the classroom and it was a success so I will use it again in the future. I think sometimes as teachers we get too set in our ways and aren't willing to change and we should be doing the exact opposite.
Thanks for the encouragement Dr. Meers. I am learning to look forward to the next bunch, because I am very passionate about my work. When they leave, it is always bitter-sweet.
I my scanning lab.I having used roll playing: in term of the scanner obtaining a pretend patient that's has :
name alerts (similar names)
different lab values
different mental or physical capabilities
I have found this to be helpful in regards to how the student deal with some of the same factor in their clinical setting. There is also AIDET guidelines I use in lab in regards to teaching and achieving patient centered care skills. This tool are powerful and it helps to provide a new comer to the medical field with a patient care communication format or providing a student who is experience in the health field with a format to improve patient service satisfaction.
For me, knowing the students is a very important tool. Most of the students take my class because they have to not because they want to. Knowing where they came from (professional, personal, and education) and where they want to go helps me relate the class material to their lives. This makes them more engaged and interested in the subject. I try to take the time to get to know the students, if not on an individual basis, then as a class what they're interested in.
I've only been teaching for two years, but found that sometimes the students I didn't think I got through to or whom I felt I had to "drag" them through the learning process would come after they graduated to tell me how much they learned or appreciated the class. I try to keep this in mind when I encounter a student who is harder to reach. Quynh
Hi Roger,
I agree this is a very effective way of getting insight on how to expand and improve instructional effectiveness. Always be on the look out for new ways you can provide instruction to your students. This will help you to keep fresh in your teaching approach.
Gary
Hi Sheila,
This is not uncommon with people persons. As you say you are getting better at letting them go at the end of the course. Always hard due to the investment but that is ok. Enjoy them, send them on their way and think about how great it is going to be to develop a relationship with the next bunch.
Gary
i use powerpoints it helps me better explain the subjet and i also give handouts about that subject
I know what you mean Audrey, I too feel that I am boring sometimes and I look for ways to keep my students engaged in the subject.
I find that interactive activities are excellent especially if they are conducted in a manner that really engages the student and allows them to become a part of the activity.
I think I need to be aware of my strengths and weaknesses as they relate to the learning environment and be willing to reflect on things that have and haven't worked. I also think I need to take input from others and learn new methods I'm not familiar with.
The best answer I can think of is to observe what other teachers are doing. Painters and musicians often improve on their style by looking at the works of other artists. By observing the techniques others use, you can incorporate those elements that you feel significant into yours. I do recommend observing teachers that are highly effective though.
Hi Dr. Meers,
This is a great question. There are so much we can do to enhance our instructional style. I think that improving communication with students is a key to improvement. This allows to better facilitate our courses as a diolog is established.
This implies that a two-way communication has ben established (so we now have a feedback mechanism). Based upon the responses from the students we can better taylor our presentations to our students. Better communication also changes the classroom environment to a place where each student feels free to ask questions-- without feeling embarassed or intimidated.
So by enhancing our instructional style, we better serve our students! =)
cheers, mj
I consider myself a "people-person." This sometimes causes problems when I become emotionally attached to my students problems. I've been teaching for seven years, and have grown in this area, but I am still working on handling both sympathy and empathy in the classroom setting.
I have discovered that I must have clear course objectives and make sure the students understand what is expected. Having high expectations and stardards for my students, has given me better outcomes on assignments and projects.
I like to include small group activities to keep my students engaged in learning. This tends to break up some of the monotony of a 4 hour class. At the end of the activity I always have a little Q & A session to find out what exactly the students got out of the activity. This helps me to continue to develop my activities to meet the needs of the students.
I have requested from my program director to purchase some DVD's for teaching the syllabus. They are excellent sources for teaching the students about anatomy and scanning. They have live clips and thats very helpful as well. Thank you, Dennis
Hi David,
Good to hear. I wish you much teaching success.
Gary
