seeing the student
I put it this way because you may not always see what is going on and until you can see the student in his eyes, class time may not be enjoyable for that student. some classes no matter how they are taught can and will be a challenge for some students. so seeing the class from thier eyes is a way of understanding how they feel on what is being taught. and an insight on what changes you may need to make to teach that class better.
Hi Nancy,
All I can say is "WOW". You are working hard to develop both written and communication skills in your students. Keep up the good work. The next time I am in Disney country I will look you up and sample some of your language skills as well as cooking skills. I myself am really into BBQ and the smoking of ribs. Not the highest level of food prep but does require a lot of skill and knowledge about how to get the maximum flavor from the meat through rubs, wood selection and timing. My goal is to quit teaching and become a champion "ribber" on the circuit. To date I have won $8.00. So I am keeping my teaching job until I develop that "magic sauce" that will put me into the big time.
Gary
Well, Gary, if you are ever visiting Disney, call me here at Le Cordon Bleu!! I have to admit we try to have fun because I think they remember more that early in the morning if the learning style is interactive.
Be prepared, though... if you can't recite the "rules", you have to stand up until you get a question right (i.e. When do you NEVER use a comma? What is a preposition? Name all the linking words for a compound sentence?). I think I am either one of the favorites or one of the most annoying instructors here because of that; yet, the students are going to leave my class prepared for college-level writing!
Hi Nancy,
I want to take your course. What a great way to "wake up" students early in the morning and get them talking and laughing with each other. This sets the stage for a very good class.
Gary
I teach English, currently just Developmental at 7:15 a.m.!!! Not a student's favorite class! To break the ice and get to know them, I play a game with my students on the first day.
Many of us know a form of this drinking game from our college days! "I can do something you can't do!" (or I've done something you've not done). Of course, I start it out with something silly I can do (recite the ingrediants to a Big Mac is reverse order and backwards to the listing in the advertisements).
Going around the room, it is funny to see who is excited to show off an unusual talent or experience (I warn them I have lived a lot of life so has to be a good one to get past me!), or who thinks they have never accomplished anything at all!
This connects all of us as a group--with laughter, insight and shows that we can support each other even in something this simple. It creates a student/teacher bond that makes rentention key at a career college.
Hi Patrick,
Discovery teaching is a method that helps the students to come up with the answers to questions that are posed by the instructor or other students. Then resources are provided enabling them to answer the questions. The cognitive retention rates are very high when students learn using these methods. Good job.
Gary
I throw the ball back in their court. Ask questions, be responsive, lead one question into another, and listen to their responses. You can lead them to teaching themselves and it's very rewarding when they answer their own questions and watching the light bulbs turn on in their heads.
Hi Todd,
Students that know they have a supportive and caring instructor put forth more effort and the retention rate is higher as well. Thank you for your comments about this most important area.
Gary
Many students feel that no one really cares about them as individuals. If we can show that we care by truly listening to them it makes them feel more confident in themselves as well as us and helps them to find an interest in our subject.
Hi Crystal,
Good point about receiving feedback from students. What have you found to be the most effective way to get feedback from your students?
Gary
I have learned to welcome feedback, though it is not always easy. I think by nature many teachers are oversensitive individuals.However, I often remind students that this is their class and they need to make sure they are getting what they want out of it. Crystal Berntson
I agree it helps as an instructor to see the class through the eyes of the student. I achieve this by recalling what I felt when I was a student learning the same material. I also find different ways to get feedback from the students in the class to understand their perception.
It is a intresting tought " seeing in there eyes" I often find that a pre conceved notion can be made by a student from differnt comments about the class that curculates around campus.And from the first day I try to see into all there eyes right away and seperate the positive from possible negitives. Some people you can approach in a mentor role, others may need a more hands on approach. It is allways read through the eyes, agree??
Hi Rick,
Well said. Using this format of looking through student eyes also helps us to be creative and innovative in our instructional approaches. We can remain targeted on how we are meeting student needs.
Gary
I agree with this point. It is very important to see the class through the students keys. As Instructors we may believe we are doing it right but if the students do not agree then we need to reevaluate our position. Reading and understanding student evaluations of our classes helps to see the class through their eyes.
Hi Lloyd,
You are right about all of the external issues that students face today. In spite of all these distractions it is fun to try and find the right combination of learning strategies that will catch and keep the attention of the students.
Gary
Observing students gives you feedback to determine if they are not their usual selves that day. Everyone has good and bad days and sometimes just talking it out with the student either helps them get a grip on their problems or allows them to refocus on the subject matter at hand.
Student have many issues such as: court dates, family problems, become parents , no jobs and many other issues it is a challenge for the instructor do do his job today.
Hi Manuel,
Isn't it amazing how when we pause and put ourselves in our students situation we can see how we can better plan and share information. Always good to do this now and then.
Gary
You make a great point. We need to make a habit of putting ourselves in the students shoes in order to improve our teaching styles
