I need to learn more about the topics I teach but my time in the classroom is such that it does not enable me to do so. I learn alot from the students about techniques they know for solving problems.
Greetings Rose!
As I think about your comment - you make a very good point. But isn't it about teachers/instructors gaining more knowledge therefore, becomeing more proficient at what we do - life-long learning!
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I make sure to draw from both objective and subjective sources.
Hi Joe!
You know Joe, learning in general makes us better instructors. Certainly we want to know more about our specific subject matter but in my book - learning is learning!!! It also role models to our students that they should have a love for life-long learning.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I ask for input on week three, week 6 and week 9 of a twleve week course to gain a more understanding of the needs of the students.
Hands on and role playing have proven to be very effective for me.
I feel like they naturally balance themselves. As I learn more about the topics, the way to teach them naturally develops.
Hi
I teach cooking and my demo are a good way to keep student interested and motivate they like to see me with a new recipe or technique so I am always in the need to come up with something this keep myself motivate about my teaching and my relation with my students, teacher will never stop learning and searching new technique to facilitate our teaching and keep student learning
Eric Andre
I consider a logic progression of learning objectives as my first priority. As I develop these objectives, I may wind up learning more about the specific subject matter. But I don't get distracted by that additional learning if it isn't consistent with what and how I am intending to teach.
I attend learning development classes offered by the school I teach at plus CPE's.
Good for you Peter! Every day should be a new adventure in learning and what better way to do that than with students.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
We all need to keep up to date on topics in our field relating to technological advances Learners often ask intriguing questions I don't know the answers to. I try to look up the information on the internet or in journals to discuss the next day, if possible, and/or suggest students look up and share what they found especially if pertinent to the subject. We all learn the latest developments together. If our schedule permits I will pull up website on our classroom computer or give students the website address for their own learning.
I spend a lot of my personal time learning more about my field. Things are always changing, coming in and out of style. There is so much to know about my subject,Culinary, that one can never know everything. There are also many interesting sujects that dovetail what I teach. I have to stick to certain basics, but I also bring into the classroom current events.
Hi Mark!
Very thoughtful self-evaluation! First we have to remind ourselves that we need to continue learning and then be open to every learning opportunity possible.
GREAT JOB!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
In my many years of instructing in the Cukinary Arts field, I find that many students can bring to the table(no pun intended), a variety of manual techniques that they have learned from their parents and grand parents. These new ways of achieving the same objective, that I instructed to them, hass inspired me to take a closer look at the "classical method" of teaching in the culinary field and introduce to new classes what I have learned from my fellow students. Showcasing and explaing to my class both the classical methods, and my newly learned technique, motivates them to open up to me about family experiences and their way of accomplishing the same end result. I too have become a focused learner and a better teacher facilitator.
I am fortunate in that much of my professional occupation also brings new and relevant content into the classroom. I am learning over time to bring a more diverse teaching style with an increasing number of small case studies, small group projects, and problem-solving activities into the classroom.
I would say that I balance evenly with my course prep time with 50% in developing new ways of teaching and 50% in learning more about the topics that I facilitate.
I try to consider new ways to teach new material as I am learning that new material.
In the process of developing a "game" it not only helps interest the students I also learn more about the subject as I do my research. It is an effective and fun way in getting all to participate.
Vanessa, it sounds like you have a great way to stay informed since medical science changes daily. Like most instructors, I find that my students challenge me to learn and stay informed. As a result, student and instructor learn together.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I like this "forest model" Steve, perhaps because I teach environmental science and environmental risk assessment; and do my backpacking with owner of state-of-of-the-art GPS navigation, while I still carry my map and compass as a backup ((:. Iin this modual, I formulated my teaching verbs to read as "I Plant, Nurture and Grow Learning". Seems I like to grow things, so thanks for helping me see the "forest through the trees"; trees being the little side trips and deviations we take when we know our way, or the obstacles we face when we loose the path. Funny, when an annual performance appraisal stung a little for saying the "you need to see the forest through the trees", I felt under appreciated. Really I just needed to learn to appreciate this visualization of learning.
