I give my students an instructor evaluation sheet at the end of each course and ask them to fill it out and give honest feed back as to what i did well along with what i could improve on.
Claudia,
Good point and so important to keeping students focused. They need to see the currency and application of the content being shared.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Laura,
Way to keep current and expand your ability to learn and benefit from other educators.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Lisa,
Great to hear because that is what being a professional should be about. It is a constantly changing and evolving process as we develop our expertise.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also try to keep current and talk about this during class. I find it is easier to engage students if the instructor has additional ilnformation to share joutside of the text. Afterall they can read the materjial!
As an instructor, keep learning or develop in the trends of new technology of your fields so that your style is in all the time. Keep in touch with your colleagues so that you can share each other experiences and development of the field...Like "what new?...what you have discover?"
I have just recently attended a conference for educators. It was great to network and discuss various topics with other instructors in the field.
I have 15 years’ experience teaching and I am constantly evolving as the students evolve. I treat each group differently in order to meet the students where they are and take them where I need to be.
When I think of my instructional style as a new instructor, I think of my most effective structures in college and the least effective instructors and their instructional styles, which were very different from each other. The most effective instructors didn't move on until the student understood the concept being taught. The least effective instructors didn't care if the students understood or not, and kept moving through their teaching presentation.
Elizabeth,
This is true. You have to read each class and determine the student dynamics that are present. Then you can customize your instruction to meet the learning needs of that class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I really think teaching is an everlearning style. What works with some classes may not work with others so the more knowledge you have in different styles of teaching can be applied.
I am constantly taking courses to update and improve my educational skills. I also take students feedback and improve those areas identified as weak.
LATONYA,
Good point about PowerPoint. I think too many students have died already as a result of too many slides, too much content and too long sessions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
William,
Welcome to a great profession! I have been at it a long time and still can't wait to get to my class and share with students. Your professional development strategy is a good one so keep at it and enjoy your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Roy,
I like your approach a lot. You are using your own interests and abilities to enhance learning in your classes. I am sure your characters help to liven up your classes. Students appreciate instructors that work to get and keep them engaged. Thanks for your comments on this topic.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to use technology and assigning student projects. The hands on .learning by doing is my style of teaching. I am not a big fan of Death by Powerpoint.
I am new to instructing. I have found reading the students for feedback and the class evaluations to be very helpful. Instructing is harder than originally imagined. I attempt to bring in new ways of instructing by talking with other instructors to see what ideas they have to share.
OK, am new here, but have been teaching for 12 years at a local Computer School, and am now teaching Computer Literacy at a local Medical School. When I first started teaching as an Adjunct, I used Robin Williams role as a professor in "Dead Poet's Society" as my role model. throwing away the plot line and such, I liked his approach to teaching and presenting his material. Teaching Technical Subjects is boring, plain, old, boring. I also have noticed over the years how more and more of the students respond more to some "Entertainment" and as an 1800's Reenactor I try to bring in some of my "Personalties" into the mix. I have found self-deprecating humor and actual support calls I've made to help drive home the reason for being there.
In my current position, I have to constantly remember I am no longer teaching Techs, but future (and current) Medical professionals how to use their computers when they think they already know how. I do this by always adding more than what the books cover, real world, and specific to what they will be doing with their computers. I am constantly urging them to be "Curious" with information and the obtaining of it.
Alvin,
It is great to have a professor in your background that can serve as an inspiring model for you. I know I had several that really impacted my style of teaching. Having such individuals really help us to refine our own style while showing us how we impact the lives of our own students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Gilberto,
Right you are about the need to stay current. Your field is changing so quickly that it is an ongoing process of introducing to your students the most current practices.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
