Gina,
Sounds like you have good support from your school in expanding your instructional expertise and professional development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My school allows us to complete these online webinars and we have quarterly inservice meetings. Those meeting are on various topics that include ways to develop our teaching skills and styles.
Katina,
Good point about being prepared when you present to your class. The confidence that comes from knowing you are ready to share with your students is powerful as you establish yourself as the learning leader. Thank you for sharing this perspective with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One thing that I always felt week in was standing in front of my class to lecture. Then one day I told my students that they needed to practice their presentation for their project in front of a mirror or to their family or even their family pet. They needed to practice before they presented to the entire class and that got me to thinking who I was as a presenter. I wasn't putting in any practice time before I came to class. Being prepared elevates many fears and worries about lecturing to the class whether you are up there for 5 minutes or 50 minutes.
Constantly seek to improve, receive feedback from reviews, continuously educate yourself.
David,
This is a great way to customize your instruction for each class. You are targeting the needs of the current students while still providing the content in a sequential manner. I start in a week teaching five sections of the same course and I really appreciate your comments in relation to how each type of instructional delivery can be conducted to keep students engaged. I use a model much like this so I stay fresh for each section since even though I have been through it before this is the first time for each student.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One of the biggest problems I have is that I frequently teach the same material on line and in residence. I also teach similar material at different levels: BS, MS/MA, and DBA. I really have to think hard about how to apply my skills differently in these different settings. I come to class so loaded with information that it is easy to overwhelm or even discourage the students. The technique I use to keep it all straight is to focus on questions rather than answers. By posing questions and playing off the students answers,I am able to constantly readjust to the student level of discourse. This way, every class is a learning and adjustment experience for me, too. In effect, I use the students and their responses to help me refine my instructional style.
Chenal,
These are all excellent professional development strategies. I commend you for your effort to expand your knowledge and skills in the area of instructional delivery.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found taking classes face to face is the best. However, I live in a remote area and therefore taking on line classes with my fellow staff is rewarding. We have chance to discuss specific situations. Also we have three different text books on methodologies of teaching. I can refer to these often. One additional way of keeping up my teaching skills is to teach "new teachers". This is most beneficial to enhance my personal skills.
Leroy,
Good way to expand your knowledge and expertise. This is what professional development should be about.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
AS a instructor taking traing courses and seminars allows me to learn new techniques.and allowes me to study and performed on a higher teaching techniques.the course help my understanding throuht this course.
Jamie,
The more senses and applications made with the content the better. By doing so you will increase their retention of the content as well as expand their skill sets.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Acie,
Great way to stay engaged with your students and the course content. The saying "To teach is to learn twice, once as a student and again as the teacher." applies in this situation. Also, your effort to learn from your students helps in establishing rapport with them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I hope to get my students excited to learn in my classroom. I learn well with the hands on method. If I could give them an example of something that has happened to me while I worked, I feel that the students may remember my story and use it to their advantage.
Kathy,
This has been my experience as well. This variety helps to keep me excited about teaching the different courses. In two weeks I start 6 new courses so I need variety in my delivery so I can be engaging in each of them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also learn from the students on a daily basis and try to incorporate this into my classes. It really makes the students feel as they are part of the process if I am learning from their input. I also encourage the students to bring in information on the subject being taught as I do not know everything and i find the students become more engaged if they are bringing something new to the discussion. I find this leads to new and exciting activities in the classroom.
I find that I enjoy using different styles when teaching different classes
Minnie,
This is a great support for you as you work through the material and acquire the necessary content. As a result you know how much your own students appreciate this type of support.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with your statement. My on-line instructor provides with me on-line seminars and well as other tutorials to help in my ability to learn the material and requirements for the selected course.
Ali,
This is a fast developing source of professional development. Thank you for sharing this resource with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
