I feel that as instructors we also fall into a routine that we become comfortable with and just go through the motions. Especially when we have a class that does not like to cooperate as we would wish them to. But I feel that just as our students need motivation we do as well. I take great pride in how well my students do as a reflection of my teaching, so when the studetns start to feel unmotivated, maybe that is when we need to take a step back evaluate how motivated we are, and then refocus or redirect the message we are sending.
Hi April,
Thank you for the list of questions that you included at the end of your forum comments. This is an excellent list to ask of yourself as you work through the course. These questions help to insure that you are not missing any of the major components of the course and the delivery strategies for those components.
Gary
to love work for the sake of the work. thanks
I think that it is important for the Isntructor to take time and refocus on occasion to allow for an adjustment of the student's knowledge of the subject. For instance, in the beginning, there is a "fear factor" to overcome due to a lack of knowledge about the subject. But as students and Instructor become familiar with the expectations it is important to adjust the way you present information as the course moves forward. Do you need to give more detailed explanations? Do you need to reinforce the material with supplemental material? These are questions that the instructor should be able to answer as the course progresses.
April Raines
Hi David,
Well said. The pride of doing well throughout a course is a great reward. By keeping the students focused and excited their self confidence will continue to develop.
Gary
Self assessment is an invalueable practice for any instructor. Times change, each class has a different set of group dynamics and we change. It is important to stop and reflect on what the student is getting out of each class and how this is relevent to their future. Becoming stagnant is one guaranteed way to loose the interest of the class.
You should be as motivated at the middle and end of a term as in the beginning. Refocus alows you to maintain a high quality experience for the students in turn a high quality experience for the self. It is twice blessed.
Hi Charles,
This is a great reflective exercise that would work in any setting. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Often doing the samthing day after day, an instructor loses focus on what is going on in his/her classes and needs to regroup. They need to realize what is going on and what their students need.
Hi David,
If the leader is excited then the followers will be also. That is why the instructor has to be excited about the course if the students are going to see a person that they want to follow in developing their career content.
Gary
A teacher needs to refocus to not only keep him or herself motivated to teach the material but also to keep the class interesting for the students. As we learned in the last segment if a teacher comes across as unmotivated or uninterested in the material the students will reflect that attitude and class will not be fun or effective. Another word on refocusing the students, recently I started class by asking the students to make an inventory of what they have learned so far. Not what they have learned so far in my class but since they have started school. It took a good 5 minutes before students started rolling with the things they have learned but by the end of the session they were all astounded at the amount of material they had learned. I was a very empowering moment for the entire class and I believe it helped to reenergize the students.
Hi Nancy,
Good point. Taking the "pulse" of the class is critical for instructors. This way they can make any adjustments that are needed to keep the class on target.
Gary
Hi Shelly,
You are right about needing to REFOCUS at times. We do get caught up in all the responsibilities of our work not to mention our personal lives to the point that sometimes we lose sight of the reason we are teachers in the first place.
Gary
I feel it is important to occasionally take time to "REFOCUS", because it will bring back our motivation and excitement back into the course. If you are excited about the lessons, and labs it usually will get the students excited, and they will realize how far they have come.
Instructors need to be aware of how students are progressing through the material in the course. Periodic assessment of where the students are and how effecting the techniques employed by the instructor are can help the instructor make necessary adjustments and rejuvenate the course.
Carroll,
Good comment. Having new and fresh ideas will energize the students and the instructor!
I think that instructors get so set in their ways that it is hard to come out of the mind-set of go-go-go and never stop. It is good REFOCUS and determine what areas need adjustments.
Shelly
Hi Mark,
Good for you. By being current in your field plus excited about teaching it your students will see a model for themselves in the future.
Gary
Of which helps with student retention and ultimately student success.
this will always keepa class fresh. even if you teach the same subject repeatedly, a mid class refocus can help be sure you always do the best job possible
