I find that the more comfortable you are with a subject the easier it is to come up with inovative ways of presenting the material. I find that until I have taught a course a few times I find myself relying on the power point to keep on track. Once I have that down I find myself being able to involve discussion instead of instruction.
I love what I teach, so learning more about the topic is enjoyable and doesn't seem like 'work'. However, when a new technique or new study in my field comes out, I try to encorporate it into class time with students as part of a discussion time. It's like accomplishing two things at once.
I find that once I feel more confident and have a deeper understanding of a topic then I am able to spend more time coming up with new ways of teaching. I find that after a few times through a class I generate more ideas on how to improve my delivery and at that point I have gained a deeper understanding of my topic and after that I focus more on new ways of teaching and spend less time on learning about my topic because at that point it's more about fine tuning or focusing on minor points.
Hi Nicole!
Good job - don't forget to learn from your students as well.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I try to stay up on current events and research. I also try to attend conferences within my field to assist in my on-going professional development.
I feel like it starts at the first introduction, that is why I like to call role the first and add to it "would you please stand up and tell us a little about yourself?" It gives me the opportunity to recognize something about their lives and enviroment, helps me learn their name from day one and develope a plan on how to engage that student.
Hi Keith!
Great approach! Plain and simple - positive learning reenforcement.
Good job - keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Hi Darrell!
When I think about the mix of students, their backgrounds, belief systems, moral principles, etc. in one classroom, it overwhelmes me. Then we try to identify the best methods/techniques/strategies for providing a learning environment for each of them. Instructors have an aweinspiring job - but the rewards are many when we observe student successess.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Hi Robert!
What are some creative ways that you have found to relate topic info to diverse groups? It is so important that we understand our students and try to provide them with the best learning environment possible - but not an easy task!
Good job and keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
That is a great point. I learn from other instructors everyday and in fact picked up something from you in body filler a couple of weeks ago.
Becoming more learned and up-to-date with our respective areas of expertise usually exposes us to differnt teaching styles. It is interesting to watch another instructor and adapt some of their methods of training. New technologies always offers a new idea on delivery of a new product, proceedure or technique.
I believe that while learning more about our taught subjects that the new ways to convey the information will evolve. The balancing is done while we mature in our knowledge.
I have taught the concept of Accellerated Learning to other college Instructors before I knew the there was such a teaching style. I have been teaching since 1987 and have always implemeted some sort of "Accellerated Learning" into the classroom with the use of games, questioning techniques, props, active learning, role playing and other means of student involvement. I have asked students to build props as assignments, showing what they have learned. This interaction always seems to yield positve results and when the students can identify what they have learned with what they have created or built, the re-inforcement is easliy seen.
The more I am involved with today's student the more amazed at what a diverse group we deal with in the classroom. They all come from different lifestyles with different challenges and the more we search for ways to cotact them the more successful we will be as instructors. I think something that helps me is telling the student " I want to help you, how can I best assist without doing it for you?"
I am always looking for new ways to relate topic information to a diverse group and find that connecting with the students can be challenging.
I try to spend time learning from my fellow instructors and reading news publications concerning the industry during breaks and free time and during class I continually look for methods that might get the students to respond and a great indication is body language.
BRAVO Luis!
I really like learnign together and the idea that critical thinking occurs. I find that critical thinking is difficult for many students and they can't to grasp the concept. This is a great example of learning together.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Jean, I definitely agree with you. I, too, am a face-to-face person. I'm afraid many people substitute presentation skills and trick for the knowledge they don't have. We are not in the class to entertain our students.
I try to do some of each during each class I teach. I probably do spend more time learning about the topics (or reviewing the topics) than I do developing new ways to teach and use my classroom time. Much of what I do depends on the students in a particular class. I feel I need to be student oriented and give my students what they need from me. I am getting ready to retire, so I feel pretty confident in both my knowledge and my ways of doing things. I do realize I need to be flexible and adapt to the needs of my students.
This is good stuff and I know the importance of being prepared for any and all unforeable questions that may come up. There is no substitute for being ready for class.
