Hi Jannette,
Good job of getting a new look at your efforts and being refocused in what you are doing. This will result in improved instruction and more excitement in the classroom.
Gary
Sometimes during the course of a class instruction takes a back seat to external factors. Student issues, weather, attendance, faculty needs ,all can distract or discourage an instructor. Sometimes all it takes is to add something new or change a routine and the instructor can put the real needs of the class back into perspective.
Hi Melissa,
All good points and I would add one more, the feeling of satisfaction from knowing that you have brought to the classroom the best attitude and set of skills you have for the benefit of your students. This is what being a professional educator is all about.
Gary
There is a terrible disease called, "Teacher Burnout" that happens even to the best of teachers. Some need a weekend, some a few days, and some might even need to take off more time to get back their motivation and enthusiasm.
Instructors need to REFOCUS in order to ensure that the learning is student centered, not teacher centered. As instructors, we need to evaluate and assess our strategies and methods and ensure that they are dynamic, current and effective or the student will start to think "why come to class, I can just read the book". This is not what a teacher wants to hear, so keeping the learning dynamic and pulling the students into the learning process will help to avoid the student feeling discouraged and bored.
I realized I do attempt this method, although not specifically the same - but I was developing a system to re-energize the course.
I do feel the difference after that refocus!
It does make a great difference to the end goal and keeps the students engaged in a positive manner.
I know I believe this should be an emphasis area! I find that community building efforts, recognition programs and breaks from teaching are all effective in helping me maintain my energy level. I think we also have to be responsible and leave the teaching alone for a bit - even if that is a couple of days during a break.
Melissa
Who doesn't need to recharge their batteries now and then? As an educator, I find that a lot of my energy is given to the student and to the development of strong discussions, strong feedback and strong classroom experiences. I don't want my job to be a routine experience where I am feeling robotic, I want to be connected to the content, as mentioned earlier in the class, and therefore connected to the students. Taking a break or refocusing is a great way to keep this energy level at a healthy one.
Melissa
Instrutors must stop and interact with their students to make sure they are on the path to obtaining the goals they have laid out for their course/students. By taking the time to REFOCUS the instructor is able to make adjustments to the curriculum approach and delivery to accomodate the needs and learning styles/abilities of their students.
Instructors need to occasionally refocus themselves to avoid falling into a set routine and loose their effectiveness. We are able to energize ourselves and maintain our effectiveness in the classroom by evaluating ourselves and refocusing our efforts.
Jay
Hi Robert,
Well said. You are fortunate that your field is changing so fast. You are right about never being bored because it seems there is something new almost every week. The challenge must be to keep up. At least your students know you are current since you are constantly introducing new material.
Gary
Hi Robert,
Well said. The idea of REFOCUS is just as you outlined it. It gives us an opportunity to motivate ourselves in relation to our subject matter and students. We can get our creative juices flowing once again and try something new. This really helps with excitement about our work.
Gary
I feel privileged to be in a profession that makes falling into a rut almost impossible. In my field, information technology, the subject matter changes so fast that I have to truly engage the students to discover new developments together. I am a facilitator and my students are partners in our quest. I love my job!!!
As an instructor, with a multitude of personal dilemas and situations to resolve in our lives, we should break out of our daily teaching habits and "refocus". We should take a step back and review our "rapport" with our students, create and suprise our students with new learning experiences, and create "learning targets" that will stimulate not only our students, but ourselves as well. We should also refocus on our own strengths and recognise our past achievements with student accomplishments, and curriculum planning. We have to also empower ourselves and our students with new and adventuresome teaching and learning techniques, excite and stimulate students toward their future field goals, and reevaluate our teaching methods and goals as well.
Hi Warren,
Yes. Faculty development needs to be a part every institution's goal process. A strong faculty increases student retention, reduces turn over and increases student satisfaction.
Gary
Hi Michael,
You make a number of very good points about the learning needs of students. By developing a way to gather some information about the students you get a better picture of how to approach and support them.
Gary
As with all tasks one can get bored or in a rut if there is no time seperate work and other activities. As instructors with varried schedules this can be difficult. During the day , if i am not involved with students issues, and between classes often times i will walk around the building or parking lot which may not seem like a lot of time but it gives me the oppurtunity to put away the last class and start to focus on the next class, as well as clearing the mind it allows me to gather new ideas to improve the next class. As soon as my walk is done i write any new ideas and soulutions to old ideas down to review at the end of the day.
We also have other times durring the year to refocus, it's called vacations.
Gary,
Do you believe that institutions should direct more energy toward reinvigorating their faculty?
We all lose sight of the "prize" at times. It is important that we remain confident in our ability and keenly aware of the changing needs of adult learners. "Stale" teaching/facilitation is counterproductive for learner and instructor alike.
I discovered this need as a Trainer in industry. The Quality Improvement Process and Continuous Improvement Processes of many employers drove me to constant re-assessment. I have returned to higher education with respect for the need.
I have found it sometimes difficult to help my peers in Humanities to understand this culture.
I also think that, when students come to your class without acculturation to such assessment tools, it is tasking to develop this sense in them. If students picked up these tools and outcomes at their first courses, they would come to other courses ready to share in this assessment and re-direction.
