I enjoy doing lab project along side the learner.
Particapating in the Lab with each student helps me learn how they learn and what the need to learn.
What I teach is supported by the company with online updates which I can share with my students. By using this tool I can teach and learn at the same time.
We can always learn together. We can research topics that I need more feed back on.
I never do anything the same way. I am always learmimg something new, it keep me intrested as well as the students.
The balance between the need to learn and developing new ways of teaching is the easy part. Classroom time, on the other hand, is a little trickier. I sometimes come up with projects that are decent, however we don't always have enough time to complete them. Trial and error, so the next time I shorten the project or change it around. Everyone is different in how the balance everything, you just do it.
I balance the need to learn more about the topic I teach with my need to develop new ways of teaching and my classroom time by always staying abreast of what's new in our field. I constantly peruse periodicals or journals, or even the newspapers for ideas to help learn innovative ways or get ideas to help the teaching of materiel more engaging for the adult learners. I think the possibilities for learning any subject are limitless. I'm always open for suggestions from my colleagues, director of education, or the students.
I am always looking into the new developments wthin my field to help become a better facilitator so the students will enjoy learning.I have seen Adult learners respond to other subject matter experts coming in to speak with them enhances their learning experience and makes them feel important, whic adds greatly to their learning experience.
I think it is very important to understand the role of a facilitator.
everyday is a different day than the day before that is what makes it intresting
I try to do research on topics that I am not familiar with, which usually occurs when students ask about it. I will try to change certain aspects of my lecture/topic discussions, depending on the group. I will stick with what I know works, and throw a few new ideas and/or activities. If I have a group that asks alot of really good questions, I will take some of that over to the next time I discuss that topic. I try to let the class be a dynamic place, within our school guidelines.
I always try to keep-up with the technology in our area, but it changes very quickly. I use alot of my prep time reading-up on the latest stuff, and our institution is really good at helping us be up-to-date, but the students themselves will always surprise you with either a question about something they've seen or heard, or will bring something into class to show everyone and to get their instructor's opinion on it. Having a real interest in what I teach often leads to reading on my own time, and so it is with my students. It's always fun to see their faces when I can tell them I saw the same thing in the same publication they're reading, helps build rapore.
I am always seeking new information within my field. As I learn new things, I become a student again. It is with this in mind that as I aquire new information I formulate the material in such a way that I can openly share this information to my students. In this way they can see that I am not only an instructor but a student also. It eases the transition between learner/instructor.
It's not really a need to balance new information concerning a topic as much as a way of introducing new material relating to a topic in small doses so that learners can more easily assimilate the added information.
First of all, I read a lot. Second, since every class is different, I apply the appropriate teaching techniques to diseminate information.
It is a real challenge to balance the need to learm more about topics and to develop new ways of teaching. I am open to new ideas and try to introduce one new idea in a class each Term, but there are time constraints,(Our classes meet for 5 hours each week during the 10 week term)and we usually teach 5 courses per Term.
I find it takes a lot more thought and focus to develop new ways of teaching. It is often helpful to work with or talk to coworkers to see what works for them with various situations as they occur. The topics for class are easier to identify and accomplish through internet searches and keeping in touch with trade contacts and publications. Both things need constant attention on a daily basis.
I use the internet to find answers to questions i do not know the answer to when students are working on a project so i can give them and answer to the asked questions as soon as possible as well as learn the correct answer my self
I have a passion for the subjects that I teach, so learning more about the product and keeping up with industry changes is not really difficult. As for developing new ways of teaching I don't really change much. If I find something that works better than what I have I'll bring it in and if something that I'm using is not working then I get rid of it.
Very nice comments Jason!
Instructors must prepare themselves so that they can continue to challenge students to continue preparing themselves. Instructors are the role models!
Good work!
Jane Davis
Ed107 Facilitator
Many times both teaching techniques, and advancement in one's fields of endeavour are developed simaltaneously while in the class room. One technique I use is the"parking lot". I make clear to my students that I too, while being very learnant in the subject at hand, am always looking for more experience and education, to the end of becoming better at teaching as well as what I teach. Any questions posed that can't be answered in the class, we place in the parking lot, and turn into a class project to find the information, and of course documentation to go with it. Everyone wins!
