Paula,
I'm glad these are helpful. And you are definitely on a good path by continuing to learn & grow in all areas.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I am new to the instructor position and am also teaching subjects that I am far from "expert" so I have little trouble balancing learning and developing new ways of teaching. I just do a lot of both. These classes have been extremely helpful with my desire to grow as a learning facilitator.
Joseph ,
it really does make a world of difference when we can be involved with a subject for which we are very passionate.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
As a Motorcycle enthusiest, it's educational and fun for me to stay immearsed in my field. I've been doing this 20+ years.... just long enough to know I don't know everything. Leaving me open to new products, procedures and ideas.
Sherry,
this is a great point & if those workshops are being offered, then yes take advantage of those. Along with this, look for online offerings too as these can be very time-saving.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Take advantage of faculty workshops or other educational offerings at your place of employment then incorporate newly learned activities into your lesson plans where applicable. It is less of a balancing act when you can take advantage of educational offerings where you work.
i strive to do a better job each time I research the topics becasue the industry is always changing.
ron ,
and let yourself make updates & changes; I've found that this is a challenge for many instructors.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
What I try and do is to be prepared for a course, as much as possible prior to teaching it. As the course progresses I am a student or learner also. This means that I have to do my own homework so that I am knowledgeable about the topic.
Irina,
I agree that the more we can share this info with our students they will further develop & see that we too are continuing to learn.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I believe there is very helpful to share with students latest news of Imaging industry. Students have to be aware about professional conferences and journals. It will help them to create professional presentations and to see more future opportunities.
"Houston, I have a Problem". . . I seem to have an overwhelming thirst for "All things New" when it comes to the topics of Heating & Cooling. I just can't wait to find out what new technology is being applied to the industry. What I find is, that some of the most complex applications are just the "Basic" ones . . . looked-at and developed, in new mixes of the science that's behind the solutions. It gives me a chance to look through a different "Prism" and see things in a completely unimagined way than before. I can use that exposure to provide my students with more than just one or two ways of attacking a concept. That, in turn, can lead to many discussions. And that, in turn, can allow me to be a "Classroom Learner". The beauty of it is - that the students can't really see the light-bulb going on, over my head. What a great cycle of progression.
Joe Urban
Deborah,
those real life examples really are helpful to the students & can also help you reflect on the "real world" for application.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
As a full time practicing massage therapist and a part time facilitator I am still struggling for that "balance" although I am finding students respond positively when I bring real world into the subject at hand. For my adult students, showing relavance gets them motivated above all else. And even better when they make their own connections in clinic.
Sharon,
yes, it shows that I am willing & eager to continue learning & work hard.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I think that is a great idea. If the students see the effort from the instructor stay current on a given topic, it motivates them to stay current as well.
I appreciate that I was able to take this course and further my knowledge as a learning faciliator. I will be sure to use this knowledge in my future classes.
Rhonda,
this is a great way to stay "fresh" in the field. I also like to find texts that I'm not using, that way at least I get other perspectives.
Dr. Ryan Meers
As we acquire new books for the class I take the time to develop powerpoints and discussion questions and in doing so I familiarize myself with the new information. This also gives me the ability to plan my class as well as learn more about the topic which helps with time management.
All program of instruction require continuing education of some sort. It is important to not only receive continuing education in your field but also as an instructor. You can do this by participating in this type of continuing education course or many others out there. Both types of continuing education are important and you need to put aside a few hours each week for your own education.
