At a recent teacher training program, I learnt the relevance of "bait the hook" which is the use of some interesting prologue to engage the students at the begining of the class. I applied it immediately to my next class session and I would say it was very successful. I started by asking how many students watch detective and emergency movies: CSI, NCIS, Grey's Anatomy. The students were all excited to mention their favorite shows then i asked how many noticed what the detectives and EMS did to access if a victim or patient was dead.They responded postively describing "pulse check on the neck". I then went ahead to tell them that an understanding of the "Cardiovascular system" which is the topic for the day was going to enable them appreciate the importance of a "pulse check". It got them thinking and they actively participated in the rest of the class session.
Teaching for me was a new career. In the beginning I was working as a secondary instructor. For me it was a great opportunity to learn the various style from the different teachers. The style that I like most was to know your student, know your subject, and know your college and having a student-teacher relationship. From my past experience I have seen that if the instructor breaks the barrier of student- teacher relationship then he or she doesn't get that respect as the other teachers do. The students, especially the "Adult Students" think that they have become their friends and now they don't need to be serious in their studies because "they know that particular instructor is cool and it will not be a big deal for them to get favors out of them.
In-as-much as I come from a law enforcement academy setting, much of my style is teaching from experience, but also drawing the student into 'given' situation they may encounter in the field. Even though the student has more than likely never encountered such an experience. they become mandated to allow themselves to produce an answer that is practical, safe, and logical.
Techniques used in the classroom will display not only how you feel about your chosen profession, but, it will also show your passion for passing along your knowledge and professionalism to your students.
I think instructional style depends on the class make up and the needs of the students. i teach Math so I try to adapt to the background and preparation of the class as a whole and yet address the needs of individual student as I discover what they are.
Being aware of students' different learning styles is key to the way we engage and motivate them.
There are many workshops available to help enhance instructional techniques. I think it is important to stay up-to-date with new techniques and current trends to teach students the way they learn best. Staying current just with trade knowledge is not enough. One must stay current with teaching techniques as well.
As discussed within this course is to be comvortable, be compatible with instructional settingss. Be consistent with needs of the students always. Student comes first. Your personality makes a huge impact with students as well as how to project yourself with the students. Don't side step with students. Many are very smart and will test you. And of course take courses like this one Ed101 with CEE.
take some courses to brush up
I agree. The way you instruct your classroom and present yourself as the instructor by interacting with your students.This will make students feel confident in you as an instructor and also in the work that they do.
I think that it is very important to start with the three roles modeling, manager, and motivator and make sure that my style has a solid foundation. My appearance must match my presentation, my classroom management must allow creativity while maintaining control, and I must always strive for full engagement with high expectations of myself and the students.
I can further develop my instructional style by taking full advantage of the tools and training provided by our college and always seeking to enhance my knowledge base and technical skills.
Catherine,
You have a very comprehensive professional development plan that you are following. This is a great way to expand your knowledge and expertise as an instructor. Keep up this plan and you are going to be an instructional delivery expert (IDE) before you know it.
Gary
Kristina,
This an important part of professional development. The more exposure you have to other instructors the more information you will have as you develop your own instructional style.
Gary
I feel that is very impotant to keep the learning fun and exciting. I like my students to be engaged and have fun while learning. i create games and flip charts to get my students involved.
I think the techniques I can use are the following:
1) Be on time, dress professionally ( I teach in a Medical Assistant Program), be excited about what Im about to teach
2) Be prepared before the class as to subject material - don't appear to be a "scatterbrain" who constantly runs out to get things "she forgot"
3) Be aware if students are getting "bored" by observing their body language - do they have their heads down on the table, doing homework while lecturing, on their laptops
4) Constantly improve on your instructional skills by taking classes. where I teach, we are instructed by the President of the college to take online courses like these offered by CEE to improve our style.
I know right now, where I teach, there are other instructors who are more intense, rigid in their demands of our students, such as absences, dress code etc. I know my boss, has had to go into their classes as an observer as these students have "complained" about these instructors as being "unfair" or "mean".
I try to make learning fun. The medical field, in my opinion, can get quite stuffy as it's a black & white field, therefore, I coorporate humor into my class. I find my students generally like my classes. I do admit I have a lot to learn as this is only my 2nd yr of teaching in a medical career college.
I think that if you have the opportunity, sitting in on another instructors class and observing their way of teaching is important in enhancing and refining your instructional style. By doing this you can learn new teaching methods and ways of presenting information so that the students fully understand the material. Everyone has their own style of teaching and opening yourself up to the way others teach can be a great benifit, because not all students learn the same way. So the more diverse your teaching skill the more students you will be able to have a positive impact on. Aslo when you build those relationships with your fellow teachers you work more fluidly as a team, and this shows the students another level of professionalism that they can apply to the classroom and in their career.
I believe that active engagement in the material is key to helping students learn the material. I also bring in real world experience and situations they may encounter when they are in the work force.
For me I have found that being a huge motivator and sharing your experience with them helps them in a big way. Sometimes applying topics from the book with your actual experiences in the field can help showcase what you are teaching. I feel it really helps to open up their eyes.
Motivation is Key. They feed off of your energy.
Jose Santos
I developed my instructional style from previous instructors including military. Now, I evaluate my performance based on the students evaluation and adjust (if needed) my style in order to improve them
Evelyn,
Right you are about interaction and student engagement. You are creating a setting for both to occur with your methods and that makes the time go quickly for the students just as you mention.
Gary
