My instructional style in my class is to start with a topic that my students seem to be at ease about. They seem to have alot of feed back which brings the class together as a team for group effort.
Yunda,
This is a good way to capture their attention and get the focused on the content.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree Tina. I've found that students get their "ah ha" moments more when they are doing labs or seeing the concepts applied (using video) than during other times.
First class, within the first 30 mins I have them do an activity (as most students really don't know each other even though they might have had classes together). I got this idea from a fellow instructor and they love it.
Its called Two Truths and a Fib. The activity is each student have to tell us two truths and a fib. And we have to guess which one is the fib.
Nice thing about this is that sometime share something about themselves, that none of us ever knew and then they start connecting more.
Another thing I do is in private give them a private questionaire with a few questions on, including review of rules, but also two significant questions
1. What are some bumps in the road that might make their studies a challenge?
2. What are the aspirations/dreams of what type of job they would like when they graduate?
Again then I can help them along their journey as needed, and help them to reach their goals when they graduate.
I think it is important to be aware of your surroundings and you have to adapt to the level at which your class is at. This also includes wether or not you are at a technical college or a 4 year university.
By striking the Students with a very well thought and prepared beginning of a class, then following each class with a consistent and well prepared class for them.
Kerry,
I agree even when it is a challenge to stay current in the useage of technology and the equipment refuses to cooperate on certain days.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I think learning to be good with technology in the classroom is essential to modern teaching. We must present ourselves as "on the cutting edge".
Ronda,
I really like this exercise for the reason you listed. We, humans are quick to get back to what we consider "normal". This is a fun way to challenge the thinking process. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Networking with other instructors as well as periodicles pertaining to style/development-more suggestions?
I use an ice breaker in class to address our dislike for change. For example,beginning a new class, meeting a new group of people, etc. The students are paired up and sitting in chairs back to back so they can not see each other. Then I ask them to make 5 changes to their appearance. When they are ready, they turn and try to identify each others differences. I then ask them to repeat the process with an additional 5 changes. At this point most are struggling to find even simple changes. Before the activity is complete, most students are already putting themselves back together...I point that observation out to them as well as having a discussion about how they felt dealing with even small changes. Gives additional perspective and lets them know that we all have difficulties with change.
I can use all the techniques depending on the learning enviroment.
Troy,
What are some specific way you will do this?
Gary
I can continue to get better
I agree that allowing the students to "see" what your are explaining is of great advantage. I try to use common everyday objects and incorporate them into my anatomy and physiology for animals lecture. For example, to help explain diffusion across a cell membrane I drop a salted pretzel rod into a glass of sprite. As the sprite contacts the salt on its way into the pretzel the students can see a reaction happen. This helps them understand a microscopic process that happens within the animals body (difussion in and out of a cell).
Bridget,
Good point. Everyone can teach you something if you are willing to learn from them both from a positive as well as negative perspective.
Gary
You can always watch your mentor who right now is my program director. I dont always agree with his styles but there is always something that you can take away from someones presentation
I can relate, I am also a new instructor.I am developing or exploring to find my teaching technique.I believe it will help me to translate the curriculum to experience in the medical field ,and or real english language.Health info sometimes becomes a whole language if you have not been exposed to it.
I think the more senses you involve the better it is for the teaching process.You can use power point for visual,lecturing while writing on the bord and interact with the students to make sure the course is clear.
Being a new instructor, I like to use hands on and alot of visual. I also try to pertain what their learning to their future job by using examples from my past work history.
