I work very hard to stay active in my field (audio engineering) when Im not teaching. I think its very important to take the "practice what you preach" approach. Staying on top of currant trends allows me to give my students the most up to date information about the industry and modern working practices related to the field.
I keep up with the lastest in my field. Reading, taking courses, etc. This way I can have updated information for my students so they are prepared when they are out in the field. If I am teaching something that is a little outdatd, I inform my students. But also give the the updated version.
Charles,
yes, staying up to date on the newest information, technology, or methods in your field is key.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I like this approach. Sometimes my students are asking me about aftermarket parts and high performance parts and how they work. This will give me more information.
Courses like these MaxKnowledge courses allow myself to spend some time developing as an instructor. Outside of work, I spend time developing myself in my field. It takes some time, but ensuring that I know my material and am confident in my skills as an instructor are important.
I like to read up on new materials,go to continuing education courses and then share a lot of the material with my students,we then discuss the different things we have learned.
I find that I need to spend a bit more time teaching in a way that the class understands than learning about new topic matter. I am always reading about the topics I teach about in periodicals or in training classes I take so I don't seem to have a problem doing that. I have always enjoyed learning about topics that interest me, so that seems very easy to me. Adapting the way I deliver that material to vastly different learning styles is what can be difficult.
I watch many Youtube videos of other math instructors covering the same material. I learn new methods from them as well as seeing bad habits in myself. I read widely in the field and related fields as well. Brief anecdotes can add color to the presentation.
To keep update I am member of several professional organization, and I subscribe to several professional journals for information on update technology information. I also purchase and read book by subject experts to keep up today not only with career field update, but also on teaching strategies for providing better instruction.
How I try to bring a balance in to the class is by having the students research new products in the field which I teach then give me the information.I do learn by this and it gives the students sense of accomplishment.
I find this to be a huge obstacle!! I am still struggling with this each day. I wish I had an extra hour each day. :)
Juan,
this is a great idea as the automotive industry is constantly changing & so this is a good example to the students of how to stay up to date.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I don't really balance my time if a subject is brought up I will a lot time to study and learn that subject if needed. Sometimes in class most times outside of class.
As an instructor, we can always learn from anyone...even our students! I am constantly hopping on a search engine to find out new facts in my field.
I like to go to continuing education courses on the topic. The are required for licensure anyhow and often I am able to see a method or technique that helps me learn the material and teach the material.
As a Medical Coding Instructor it is absolutely necessary for me to be learning continuously in order to teach my students to code correctly and accurately.
When ever I prepare for a class, I review material,always a question has come to my mind which then leads to another deeper question and deeper into the understanding of the material,either as I teach it or how it is applied to how the student will use the information.
I learn more until I run out of time, which is he limiting factor, and a balancing point.
Juggling the time between teaching and keeping up with ongoing development is a little tricky. I find it beneficial to pop into another instructor’s class periodically and watch his/her presentations and try to pick up an instructional tool or two to add to my class. This can prove to be better than sitting in a formal classroom or taking an online course. It is helpful to take staff development courses occasionally to review material that we somehow have forgotten or to add new techniques.
I bring up discussion about new case law. As a result, I am able to stay updated and provide useful information to the students.
In the automotive field, we have constantly evolving technologies that require constant updating to my presentations. I make it a point once a course to bring up something new in the automotive field and how it applies to their future careers. I aim toward one of their main reasons for wanting to become an autmotive technicican and point out that knowing the information will put them in a better position financially.
