I like to ask students the "why" for something without me spelling it out explicitly. I'll present a point and have it tie into a previous point, them ask them to connect the dots. I find this allows them to draw to conclusions easier then having me take them by the hand.
EmmiE,
yes, we have to make sure that our tone matches the message we are trying to send.
Dr. Ryan Meers
EmmiE,
it is definitely important to read the expressions of our students & make sure they can read ours.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Yes voices tones are important but some times hard when you are speaking to large crowds, I struggle with speaking to large crowds with my voice sometimes giving out on me, I wonder if there are voice exercises I can do to make my voice last longer in large crowds to be able to speak I like would like to with out losing my voice?
Sometimes being too loud can be a mislead in the conversation, watching the tones of your voice helps put the student at ease to be able to hear what you are really saying.
Eye contact and facial expressions because they tell you that the student is there, not elsewhere ing thoughts and where he or she is on hearing what you are saying.
william,
I agree that the aspect of clarity is one thing that you cannot overdo, especially when working with students from other cultures.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Clarity of the information, the pacing of your delivery and looking for signs from the students. Our class size is typically 30 students with 80% of them from different cultures. I know there are language barriers that most students will not admit too. I try to be very clear and deliberate when delivering the material and, constantly looking for the "deer in the headlights" expression from my students.
Using both verbal and nonverbal communication allows the instructor to connect with the students individually. Also moving around the room allows additional "connecting" and increases participation in the classroom discussions.
Eye contact with the student is important, but i believe that as an instructor I can not forget about the approach from the students point of view. This helps me to understand how to break things down when presenting in class so that my students can relate to it a little better. I think that is the most important communication skill because it keeps you connected with the students and helps you prepare a lesson plan from both the instructor and students view.
Michael,
yes, good vocal variety is a great way to keep our student's attention & demonstrate our interest.
Dr. Ryan Meers
When I listen to somone speak in monotone, I get the feeling that they are not very interested in what they are talking about. Voice fluxuation and gestures add enthusiasm to an instrucor's lectures.
H. ,
you make excellent points here & I completely agree that those personal stories on both sides really help solidify the learning.
Dr. Ryan Meers
shauna,
the old adage that repetition aids learning is definitely a truism.
Dr. Ryan Meers
good eye contact with as many students that will make eye contact with you. Walking around the class, never standing behind the podium for extended periods of timne. Asking questions to engage the students.
I think there are two levels to this question.
1. We need to be open in our style, meaning that we need to smile, nod, have an open body position so that we encourage dialog.
2. We need to ask good questions. Our questions need to stimulate thought and make students want to respond. The course work talks about sharing stories and experiences. And that has to be both instructor to class and student to class. Every time we get a student to personalize what we are teaching in class I believe they learn (and internalize) the material. After that we need to strive to get them to do critical thinking on each topic.
Being repetitive with important material in order to make sure students are retaining the information and calling attention to important points as you lecture to make sure student understand the relevance of what you are teaching.
I believe that a confident voice wit,great respect toward teaching it and your prepartion to teach that days topic, inspire students to gain confidence in your authority. As I walk around the room I monitor not only the students work, but also their own confidence in what they are doing. This gives me insight into the student and allows me the likelyhood that I will not ask them a question that is beyond their ability to answer. Their correctly answering what I have asked allows them to gain confidence in what they are doing setting them up for futre successes.
socrates,
yes good vocal variety is a great way to maintain interest.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Adrienne,
everything you said is right on the mark. Enthusiasm & support can definitely be communicated in both verbal & nonverbal ways.
Dr. Ryan Meers
