Just as students become bored with routine instructors can as well. Taking the time to "refocus" or more importantly realizing the need for a "refocus" is critical to continuing effective instruction.
Hi Bridget,
Well said. We have to be sure why we are there and that we are excited about what we are doing or we are not going to effective in our instruction. Teaching should be enjoyable for us, if not we need to find out why and change it or leave the field.
Gary
it is inportant to refocus. if you dont take time to refocus some times the information you are trying to diliver could be lost. witch could frustate the students and make it harder for them to absorb the information they need.this could start a chainreaction of frutation on the instrutor side and the students side.the end outcome is that the students wont get the info they could have from the course.
It is important that instructors are introspective and take time to “refocus”…know why they signed up for this assignment - INSTRUCTOR. They must understand what motivates them to show up every day. Refocusing helps them to reignite their purpose for accepting such an awesome responsibility to shape minds and enhance the student’s marketability.
Falling into a routine that is too comfortable can be negative for the students. It is important to reevaluate yourself and teaching style to allow for better learning from the students.
Empowering students allows them to engage and feel like they have a stake in the class, which will motivate them more. In addition, the element of surprise will break a routine and allow students to engage in the activity.
Recognizing achievements can allow us to see what methods worked and what didn't and the focus is necessary to allow for the strategies chosen to be applied well.
Refocusing allows us to stay current, while giving more to the student.
Hi Philipp,
Good point about where our eye should be for teaching success. We have to remember why we are there and what the outcome needs to be for our students. Plus, as you say it helps us to keep the content interesting so we ourselves don't become bored.
Gary
Hi Michael,
The reason we become teachers is because we like to share with others. We like people as well. You are right about needing to keep our focus on why we became teachers in the first place, the students. I really like your example. It make perfect sense when we take our eye off of the real target.
Gary
For instructors to be sure that the material they teach has the impact that they want they need to refocus from time to time.
By looking at the materials and there format with someone elses eyes will allow them to understand what if the instruction model they have set is truly what is being delivered.
We all tend to be a bit boring when were repetetive so refocusing allows us a means to keep that in check.
We become so involved in trying to learn and present the required information that we forget about the people we are trying to teach. The best way I can explain why we need to "Refocus" is using this scenario. Keep shooting the arrows the targets will be along shortly. What this means to me is the instructor was pumping out information but missed the target.
Hi Michael,
You are working in a challenging situation with your teaching schedule. Sounds like you are doing well with it. I start my teaching day at 4 and go until 10:00pm so I understand exactly what you are talking about in terms of tired students. I really enjoy my students but I have to work really hard to keep them engaged and focused throughout the evening. Keep up the good work.
Gary
The courses I teach are giving in the evening after a long days work for most of my students. The students attend school 3 nights a week. Wednesday being the last night of class week.
Monday night is always for refocusing. Over the weekend many students forgot some of what was learned the week before. Refocusing helps the students remember what they forgot and helps to guide their thought process back into the learning environment.
Hi Brian,
Instructor excitement generates student motivation. Sometimes it is easy to forget this in the rush to get everything done and the material covered. You have a good focus on how you are approaching the classroom and meeting the needs of your students.
Gary
As this section clearly points out we often times need to avoid simply getting through the course...we must continually motivate our students as well as oursleves, and think in an introspective manner to better facilitate the learning process.
Instructors will some times for get the learning styles of the students. Instructors will also get in a rut that keeps them from being focused on the students and meeting the students needs.
It allows us to see our teaching through our students' eyes. This way we can take a minute, step back and go in with a fresh mind.
Hi Kerry,
By refocusing on delivery we also help make our job of teaching fun. The variety keeps us bringing our A game to the class everyday. It is exciting to try new methods to deliver course content as well. If we are excited students will be excited.
Gary
If we don't refocus our lectures become very stale and the students lose interest in the lectures.
Hi Humberto,
Good examples of how to be reflective in your teaching so that you can better target the needs of your students. Thanks for sharing.
Gary
I find that I need some time to reflect as to what I am doing well and as to what types of modification I need to make to meet my students’ needs. I need to remember that non of what I do in the class is about me instead how I create a positive learning environment in which my student cam thrive.
If I don’t refocus I just get in a rut or a vicious cycle.
Sometimes worrying about curiculim and task we forget to keep things upbeat due to being tested by students who need more help or just constantly working .we need to step back and look at what we have accomplished and sort of correct our steering again to keep on trac and keep focused on our job.
