As I just learned, there are three roles you play in the classroom: Teacher, Facilitator, and Learner. Sometimes, people mistakenly believe that if they are experienced enough to teach a course, there is nothing else to learn about that topic.
I personally balace the need about the topics that is taught based on what is currently being used in the profession. some of the ways I develope on teaching is providing visual instruction and key topics.
what helps increase the skills into teaching is by adding your real world situation and experience.
Staci,
this is a great idea, regardless of the subject matter we teach. Borrowing the concepts & techniques of others only improves our own practice & content.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I try learn new things about the subjects I instruct. I teach massage therapy, so I get massages from different therapist so that I can "borrow" their techniques and take them back to my students and show them different tools to put in their "toolboxes."
Nastassia,
this is excellent as it shows that you have 7 years of experience, rather than just 1 year of experience repeated 7 times.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
When I was just starting to teach, I thought I would be the one instructing and teaching students. After almost 7 years, I understand that they were teaching me as well. I found out a great deal more about my area of expertise.
I encourage them to ask questions. I'll try my best to answer but I wouldn't know all the answers; however, that would help me to find out what interests them the most and read additional material on the subject.
Bakhriya,
yes, learning from our peers is a great way to "borrow brains" & improve our practice.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I learned a lot from my coworkers,learn new technologies to be ableto encourage students and give them confidence
Anita ,
this is a great way to stay in touch with the field & keep paying it forward to the students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Dorothy,
and this is a great way of mixing the study of your "hobby" with new & improved educational techniques.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I attend professional meetings in the medical field to find out current trends and am considering inviting guest speakers who are currently working in the field to speak to students. I try to update demonstrations on a regular basis by independent research on internet to make sure information is current.
Fortunately, the subjects I teach are ones in which I hold a lot of interest, so topic research for me is more of an enjoyable hobby than a job necessity. I frequently encounter new techniques during my "hobby" time, and once I've practiced and mastered a particular technique, I'm able to hold it in my arsenal of "supplemental activities" to fill in extra class time whenever the need arises.
Karen,
this is true for all fields, but especially in technology & medical type of fields. The advantage is that it forces us to stay fresh & keep moving forward ourselves.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
At our campus, we have individuals who are known as SME (Subject Matter Experts). I just happen to be a SME in computer applications, I find this sometimes to be a very heavy burden. It is a continual learning experience with the change of software every 2 years. In order to teach and develop in the classroom, as well as help other faculty I have to be at the top of my game. Learning is an ongoing process.
Walt,
these are great ideas & I'm guessing that the visits can then be related to the students & provide some real world examples for them.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
As an EET Instructor and an electronics hobbyist, I find it easy and pleasurable to keep current in the field. I have many friends in companies who allow me to visit their facilities in my spare time and observe some of the new technologies they are working with. I have been known to give them an idea or two to help them out! This reinforces our relationship and even benefits my students because these companies have hired my students as technicians in the past.
Aaron,
this is so true & there are many ways we can stay up to date with our areas of expertise.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Definately,
You cant be a successful facilitator if you dont keep up with the subject you are covering.
Clay,
this is a great way to stay up to date & grow as a teacher. Combining this with learning new educational methodology is a great way to be very powerful in the classroom.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
