I'm a new instructor
Hello! I'm a new instructor coming from teaching military personnel and now I'm teaching student that don't have any discipline; I'm trying to get the attention of my student civilian, but I don't know how to get it. Any tip?
Shanica,
I would start by making sure you know what the essential content is that they must know. Since your subject is anatomy you have a idea already about what the core content is that they must have to be successful in the field. Then you can take a topic or area such as muscles and decide how you will present that material. You can do a mini-lecture of 15-20 minutes then play a review game, case study, role play such as how big muscles interaction or counteract with small muscles, anything to get the students using the new terms and content they have just covered. Once that is done then you can do another mini-lecture and another activity. Along the way you can share your own career experiences as they apply to the topic being discussed. This approach will keep the class moving forward, the students engaged and learning occurring which should reduce their complaints.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I'm a new instructor as well,I've been a RMA since 1998 and have worked in various clinic settitngs so I havework experience. I'm having trouble turning work experience into book knowledge.... which makes me look and feel like an idiot,I know I know the subjects I just don't know how to get it across to the students without reading word for word from the book. It's like I feel afraid to just let go and say what I know I feel as if I'm taking away from them and then they end up running the class. How do I get control back abnd getmy point across without angering them because I forgot to mention the group I have has been natorious for complaining on every instructor that challenged them. My subject is Anatomy.
Lagnajita,
Keep your effort up and don't let them discourage you as you encourage them. Even if you don't turn them around you know you have done all you can professionally do to help them be successful. They chose not to be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am a new instructor and dealing with couple of demotivated people. Real life example, great enthusiasm from my side will definitely engage them.
Charlene,
Two things I do now about students is that they like examples, stories from the real world. The other is that they like food but that is a discussion for another time. Going with the first like you have them engaged and focused through your extensive career experiences and are able to bring them to the classroom and capture the attention of the students. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Joan,
Start with your command of the classroom. Be organized, start on time and be clear in terms of your performance expectations. I use the format of "Courtesy is owed." I will extent you courtesy as a fellow human being. "Respect is earned." You will need to work at earning my respect just as I will be working to earn yours. "Rapport is developed." The connection between me the instructor and you the student is based upon our creating a positive and supportive learning environment for this course. Then I say "To do that will require the effort of everyone." You will need to be consistent in your enforcement of course policies and requirements such as attendance and being on time. These students will never be the same as those you are were teaching but you can bring about behavior change by following the strategies I have listed.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The most important thing is to have confidence in yourself.
Depending on the class, I sometimes start class with relaying to my students a real life experience I had and discussing it. Depending on the class that can be difficult or fairly easy. For example, I teach Criminal Justice and have been in the field for 22 years, so I have plenty of "war stories" to tell but change the facts a little to promote discussion. Usually the changes in the story give plenty of opportunity for the students to tell me what I could have done differently for a better outcome. Many times I use visual aides, such as photos to aid and promote discussion (they love photos). It grabs their attention right off the bat. I try and make it relevant to the subject matter for that class. Granted for some subject's this technique won't work.
