Lynette,
I really like the idea of giving the students a writing assignment the first day. I have been doing introduction and asking questions like why are you here, where do you see yourself in five years...pretty generic stuff. I think by writing, I'll get a better feel for how they learn and any obstacles I may need to overcome with their writing skills. I want to include a question about their expectations for the class as well so that I can teach accordingly.
Thanks for the tip!
Rebecca
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for sharing this teaching experience. You are right about getting too many suggestions or opinions. What you might want to do is to solicit their opinions or input but use a forced choice format. This way they have to respond to several options that you present to them rather than they going all over the place with their own opinions. Also, this format keeps them focused on the topics that you want to cover and the questions that result will be on that content. Example-maybe you want to give the students the choice of discussing course content in four areas. They could rank the four areas and then you start with the top ranked one. This way they will have had input but you have contained their choices to the content area that you need to cover to meet the course goals.
Gary
Hi Lynnette,
Good way to start a course. Your method lets the students ease into the course while you are learning about them and they about you. Plus, they are having fun with the ice breakers. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Hi Joseph,
This is why knowing the learning preferences of your students is so important. That way you can offer instruction in a variety of ways that will appeal to all of the students at some time during the course.
Gary
My classes are so diverse. It's like trying to please some, while irritating others. When I every ask their opinion, I get so many different answers, it's never good. I had to stop that right away. It looked like I was too wish-washy.
The instructor can plan a better program to meet the individual learning needs. The first class is usually getting to know a little background of the students, and a short fun writing assignment. This way I can assess both verbal and written communication styles in a relaxing atmosphere. I also ask students what style of learning they prefer, and then I can use techniques that would be most helpful to certain students.
by knowing how a student responds to a given instruction an instructor can modify his/her approach to the lesson
this way an instructor came deliver the message of the topic so that everyone can understand it and be more effective with student relations
Hi Barbara,
You are right about providing instructional supports for your students. The use of guided notes is a real benefit to students. They are guided to follow the lecture while filling in the blanks. Also, this methods lets them know what you see as being important for them to learn and study. At the end of each lecture they have the key points recorded and ready for study when test time comes.
Gary
By knowing more about your student, the instructor can bring information in a more student friendly way for them. If an instructor finds out their student has a problem keeping up with a lecture for example, maybe putting it on say a power point, with a few blanks for fill in would be more helpful.
Hi Rebecca,
You do have a challenge in trying to find that critical balance point between the experienced and novice students. By pairing up the students you can have them work on projects together where there can be sharing. This way the experienced students can help the inexperienced students and both can develop respect for the contributions they are making to learning.
Gary
Understanding learner characteristics helps in the planning process by understanding that not one size fills all learners.
Some of my students either have current knowledge of a topic being covered or they are employeed using the tools on a daily basis. Others have a very difficult time learning a new concept and need a significant amount of time to learn the theory before moving on to the application.
If I taught to either one of these groups, the other one would suffer. I am constantly striving for that in the middle instruction method that allows some to work ahead and others to stay caught up.
Rebecca
Hi Ivette,
Learning about the career goals of your students and their reasons for coming to the college is essential so you know how to approach them. As situations arise you can support them when needed. How do you go about learning about your students, do you use ice breakers, introductions, information cards, etc.?
Gary
It is very important to learn about the student because it is essential for proper classroom and/or course structure.
You're welcome, Dr. Meer.
Hi Sara,
This is what rapport is all about, you extending yourself to your students. Thanks for sharing these methods with the forum so other instructors can benefit from your experience.
Gary
Hi Dr. Meer,
In the online environment, each student posts a bio about himself or herself. I respond to each student and pick something out of each bio to which to respond. This helps to develop a sense of rapport between the students and me.
In a traditional classroom setting, I use the first session to get to know the students. Each student briefly tells something about himself or herself; I will ask questions about these revelations.
I also take a few minutes before the bell rings to chat with my students to see how their week went, if they have any questions about the assignments, or it there is anything they would like to discuss. I let the students know that they can discuss lengthy or private concerns with me in my office, by email, or on the phone.
Sara
Hi Sara,
With your wide variety of experiences with students coming from many different backgrounds and cultures I am sure that you have developed a number of very good techniques for getting to know about your students. What have you found to be the easiest way to get background information and knowledge about your students? This kind of information is valuable to new instructors that are looking for ways of developing rapport with their students and providing instructional support. Thank you for your input.
Gary
Our course notes discuss different types of learner characteristics and how knowing these help in planning instruction. My experience as a college level teacher has shown this to be true.
I have worked with students who have had disabilities, were from a variety of cultures and age groups, etc. I have found that knowing about my students helps me to better relate to them and builds a sense of trust in them towards me. This improves their motivation to learn which ultimately increases student retention.
Hi Carroll,
You are correct about different learning patterns and pathways. We instructors need to work hard at knowing our students and then offering instruction thorough a variety of ways so each student can grasp the knowledge and develop the skills within their learning pathway. Also, by offering a variety of instructional deliveries you keep your own excitement up about being a teacher.
Gary
