ED101
Learn from colleagues is the first step to start with teaching
KEVIN,
You are right. This colleagues have much to teach us if we are willing to listen and observe.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also believe that to listen and learn, from othr subject matter experts, and taking notes on all their plusses and minuses is an invaluable tool.
Anthony,
First it sounds like you were thrown in the deep end of the teaching pool and it is hard to catch your breath. What I would suggest is that you identify one area of teaching that you want to improve or learn more about. Then decide how you can gain the knowledge and experience you feel you need. It might be by taking more courses like this, doing internet exploration, observing other instructors, etc.. The point is not to be overwhelmed by all of your responsibilities to the point you don't get the chance to work on your professional development.
Instead of observing another instructor you can have a senior instructor sit in on your class and then give you feedback on your performance. Another way is to video tape your teaching and review it. Neither of these methods will take you from the classroom/lab and your students.
I wish you much teaching success as you get settled into being a teacher and expanding your knowledge and expertise in instructional planning and delivery.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My dilemma with this shadowing other instructors, I am the only instructor that teaches my course at my campus and only recieved 1 very short and rough day of training on how to be the instructor here and have a difficult time balancing 27yrs as a contractor with teaching construction and building maint. now that I have books to teach theory and paperwork everytime I turn around.
Any suggestions?
Stacey,
Great to hear how far you have evolved in your instructional development and delivery. You got a good start through your observations and then was able to build on to that to refine and define your own style. I wish you continued teaching success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When I first started teaching in the dental hygiene clinic, I shadowed several instructors at different intervals. This seemed to guide me in delivering the information I was later to give to the students. I have been teaching for over 6 years now and have developed a teaching style and methods that seem to work well in the clinic situations.
Summer,
You are calling upon a great resource when you are talking with experienced instructors. They can give you so much insight for you to consider and then you can select what advice you want to use.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am new to instructing and I am always looking to the more established and experienced instructors to help me better myself as an instructor so that I can become a better instructor for my students.
This is definitely a good way to learn the do's and dont's by observing others while they are teaching. You can address and apply what works and what doesn not work to keep students attention.
Anca,
You can learn a lot with this approach. You can also learn how students interact with each other by being an observer. This will help you with your own instructional planning and course delivery.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree, i think sitting in the back of the class is the best thing to do as a new instructor, and observing different ways of teaching.
I agree, advice and support from other teachers will help the new instructor just starting a new career.
