My style as a teacher is a "cheerleader/grandma." My nickname they gave me reflects that. I feel I want to push them, but at the same time encourage them to see success in their failures. In life, or as a student, you must learn from your mistakes. They must not always see the glass half empty but half full.
Patrick,
Something I use to assist in discovery learning is the use of case studies. I have written up a number of case studies based upon my own career experience. The students really like working on them and coming up with their own solutions. Then we can discuss what I did to solve the case study challenge. This way they get to see the outcome and how it compares to their own. It fun to listen them explain their solutions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I always let my students find solutions, continue and open new discussions, of course always keeping them in some boundary. I have been pretty successful as this point however I would like to learn more efficient style, maybe to engage the more quite students!
What can you suggest me?
I agree technology is here to stay embrace it use it.Just lectures alone looses students very quickly and the tech is something they understand sometimes better than me..... Dave Ashmore
Furthering or keeping up-to-date with knowledge about the topic in which an intructor teaches can enhance an instructors style.
As an instructor, it is my belief that not only does one need to understand your students, but also implement a variety of media. I reflect back to when I was a student and how technology used in the classroom help me understand content. As an instructor, learning to implement technology and demostrating how to use technology will help enchance one's instructional style.
As an instructor it is important for me to use my technical and personal skills to refine and enhance my instructional style because to be a better instructor I must be able to use the skills gained from my work and personal experiences to engage my students in their learning.
Joseph,
Good points to focus on as you refine your instructional style.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Tripp,
I agree and make professional development a goal for myself each year. This is so important for us to expand our expertise to become more effective and efficient instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My aim as an instructor is to have perfect attendance and create a warm environment in the classroom in order for students to love to come to my class instead of feeling obligated.
I tend to get a more friendly teacher and I know that I need to not necessarily be less friendly, but be more professional. I tend to get distracted easily by students' digressions which leads my on my own tangents. When this happens I do my best to relate my digression back to the subject matter of the class, but I need to not let it happen so much.
I think educators need to continully look at new teaching techniques and evaluate them to see if they fit an individual's teaching style. Also, they need to continue using proven instruction techniques that have worked for them in the past.
I enjoy implementing hands on activities and open discussion for the students so as to grasp the overall understanding of the subject matter at hand.
Julie,
Good comments about how to develop and refine your teaching style. This is a good plan to follow. Thank you for sharing it as I know your comments are going to be of value to other instructors, especially those just starting to teach.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Instructional Style I believe come from the competencies, perhaps Professional and Personal more so then the technical. Thus, developing the competencies will enhance ones instructional style.
I am excited to begin teaching my first course in the next couple weeks. I am trying to manage the 4 hour block classes with interactive activities to help reinforce material covered as well as keep the student's attention. I am also trying to develop my own instructional style as I guest lecture so I can find what works best for me as well as my students.
Reflection, in order to be an instructor, everyone was first a student. We know the classes that we enjoyed, that we learned the most from. To think what that teacher did that took away the stress and provided and environment for learning plus just enough of a challenge and then implementing that into our instruction
Developing requires practice, trying and refining and more reflecting. Observation of other instructors plus just asking them will help to further perfect mine
I alsways like to get students to be interactive. I involved them in lecture/lab whenever I can and ask them questions or ask them for insight or if they have any questions. THis allows students to become more engaged or kow that I am the type who will be asking them quesitons all the time.
Paul,
Good list. I conclude the list with number four and that would be introspection. Stopping and reflecting on what you have observed and received input on will help you to shape your own style as you expand your expertise as an instructor.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Mark,
I like to do them as well even after all these years of teaching. I always come away with some valuable insight that I can apply to my own teaching.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
