I keep personal notes on each class I teach to help me improve.
Getting students engaged in their daily activities by combining both academic and technical skills to challenge their knowledge. For example, I do self-reflection at the end of each teaching day about my own learning process that enables me to create a better learnng environment for my students.
First, never be judgmental or faulty students. Encourage students to ask questions. Address issue of negativity on the first day of class reinforce it to enable student to participate in discussions.
getting to know the students better or have them write likes dislikes and their learning styles
Michael,
Good strategies. Thank you for sharing them with us. I know they will be of benefit to other instructors.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
My instructional style is consistent yet flexible. I “get a feel†for the class and if they are receiving the message I am sending and adapt my presentation accordingly. I address all three learning styles during class and also allow time for review and reflection.
I also use such tools as the “One Minute Paperâ€, “3-2-1 paper†and having students submit questions or concerns via email if they choose.
To have student become comfortable around other students in the classroom.
Olaolu,
This is a good way to expand your instructional effectiveness. The more you listen to your students the more you know how to adapt your instruction to reach more students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Getting to know the students you have and how they learn. Then applying the skill set for that group, so they can learn the subject at acorrect pace and learning style.
Getting feedback from student in your previous classes will also improve your instructional style for your upcoming class.
Adeyinka,
Good strategy to follow because you have experienced the effectiveness of these techniques.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Find techniques that worked for you and methods of teaching that helped you while you were in school and apply it into your curriculum.
I think that you can, and should, always change, grow, and develop in your instructional style. sometimes, it involves going to seminars, other times, it involves talking to other instructors about their techniques, and still other times, depending upon your current students, you may have to develop techniques "on the fly."
Lillian,
Try to make a connection between yourself and each student. This connection can be in relation to their hobbies, pets, kids, life experiences, etc.. I have found that I remember their names much quicker as a result plus I have something to chat with them about prior to class each day.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Well for myself, I need to walk around the classroom more, engage them my students in eye contact. learn the students names, any good ideas for remembering names?
Lillian
Angela,
This effort pays big dividends as you already know from your teaching experiences. We need to really know our material as we work through the lectures and discussions each class session.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Juliana,
Good strategies. I know you are going to be very pleased with the results you achieve with these efforts.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I believe that preperation is key. I spend several hours making sure that I am knowledgable and professional before I stand in front of the class to present a lecture.
Pamela,
A simple statement that can save instructors from so much grief. We need to live by it.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I would defintely like to add more audience participation into the lectures, along with critical thinking. My goal is to engage my students. I would also like to impliment using shorter lecture time frames to focus on course content and allow my students to truly absorb what they hearing.
