I like to include stories. relevant to the subject, to help them remember a key point.
Rebecca,
It is always a challenge to make sure our comm is in agreement.
Dr. Ryan Meers
As an instructor I think I need to work on my non verbal communication. I love to talk and do not get nervous in front of my students, but I do think that my face sometimes tells too much. I often hear people say "Hey, why did you make that face when she asked you that question?" I don't even notice I do it, but it is something I am working on. Maybe verbally I need to slow down. I get very excited when teaching something new to my students, and so far in this course I have learned that slowing things down may help them to better process information.
I would like a more interactive lecture with my students. As I proceed through my lecture, whether verbal or powerpoint, I interject personal experiences that relate to what I am discussing. I will always ask the students a question or questions regarding the same information and I get mumbling. I want the students to interact more during the lecture and not quite sure what else I can do.
I do let the students know there is no need to raise their hands,(4 students in class) just want them to answer or add any ideas.
Kimberley,
yes this is important no matter what, but especially when we don't have the luxury of the visual non-verbals.
Dr. Ryan Meers
After finishing up the material in this module, I realized the need to improve my pausing and pacing when speaking with students. Working in the distance education sector means a lot of one on one contact with students via phone. I sometimes get excited when speaking about topics that genuinely interest students, and end up spilling out information. In the future I will practice taking the time to slow my pace and make sure key points are clear. Also pausing and repetition will be incorporated for reflection, material reinforcement, and better note taking opportunities.
James,
I think this is great awareness on your part.
Dr. Ryan Meers
As an instructor I feel sometime I ask questions that go over their heads , I need to keep in mind that these students do not have years behind them and ask questions more at the level they are at.
As a new instructor, I'm still trying to "find my stride" so I get lots of helpful hints from these classes. Right now, my main goal is to improve how I can comminuicate my thoughts. I tend to speak too rapidly if I'm nervous so I'm trying to make an effort to slow down my lectures. I too would like to improve my method of asking questions to assess the retention of the material. This is probably something I will improve with by practice. Thanks for all the helpful hints. Mindy Smith
The communication skill I would like to improve on would be to ask for ideas from other instructors that have developed different teaching styles. I usually don't ask for input because the other instructors are extremely busy and I don't want to monopolize their time. I think it's great when instructors can share new ideas with one another.
James,
this is very difficult as we all feel the need to break the silence, but let me encourage you to embrace that pause.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Ralph,
yes we have to make sure that our nonverbals are in alignment with our verbals.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I will implement using body language more (I am a naturally born "floater"), especially using more eye contact with EACH student during EACH class. One thing I took away from this course was a greater understanding of how important that is.
Pace is the weakest of my communication skills. I either know the topic so well that I quickly blow through a lecture that should have taken much longer, or I am uncomfortable with a topic and deliver the lecture too slow. I've been working on my pace by being prepared and stopping more often for student interaction.
The pause: I feel constrained with time in my courses and feel I must jamb as much information into the class time as possible. The pause increases student participation. I have to be a little more patient.
The communication skill I would most like to improve is my non-verbal communications. I know that language only conveys so much information and the rest is conveyed non-verbally.
my non verbal. i feel that my commuunication skill are fine so far.... but my no verbal could always use some refinement
Carroll,
yes I've found sometimes having students repeat it how they understand provides insight into how to describe or explain differently.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Carroll,
yes I've found sometimes having students repeat it how they understand provides insight into how to describe or explain differently.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Increase student centered learning in the classroom by working with small groups and short lecture periods. I don't believe students learn well, past 20 min or so of a lecture. I don't think there is a teacher on the planet who couldn't use improvement in listening skills so we really hear our students, at least I for one would continue to work to improve this. ~smile
