Plan Classes To Engage Not To Impress
As I reviewed the Harvard Business School instructor I was very impressed. He was down to earth, was professional in his address to us, “seasoned instructors†and delivered an important message. Don't try and impress students allow them to express themselves and showcase their learning tools. If you come across as a "know it all" students will not appreciate you. They want to know that you have life experiences that make you normal but skilled, that you have made mistakes and relate to their current challenges. Don't teach to impress. Teach to engage!
Molly,
Good way to bring balance into the learning process. A connection with the students is a great way to establish rapport while showing them how they can grow through their mistakes.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree, students need to be able to relate to their insturctor. If we are "know it alls" they may feel intimidated when it comes time to perform competencies. They should feel like it's ok to make mistakes especially in the learning environment. After all we learn best from our mistakes!
I felt that all of the Harvard instructors were excellent. They were professional, grounded and spoke to all levels of instructors. I was delighted with the messages that they gave and the manner of delivery.
I tried to figure out in the first week of class the different personalities to figure out what ideas or creative juices I can get the students in engaged. They are impressed with their own work, in turn I am impressed with their work.
I like to always include a small group activity to "drive the points home" that we discussed. Rather than lecturing entirely, I feel students also learn well from each other, the interaction, the climate, and the laughter .
