In my opinion by taking some time and refocusing and sharing with learners with related stories about my experiences or from what I have heard from others will make the class interesting and keeps student falling sleep just by routine lectures.
Everyone needs to take a step back sometimes and reevaluate their teaching and redirect their focus.
After teaching the same course over and over I sometimes get bored so I try to recreate the course. I look for activities and try to adjust what I am teaching so that it is new to me an therefore I feel more motivated.
Instructors need to complete this task to refocus because of the energy, time, and investment they are making into the lives of others. It also help reenergize and focus.
If an instructor tends to teach the same course over and over it can become difficult to show as much enthusiasm and passion for the content as in the beginning. Teachers need to remember that this is the student's first time hearing and experiencing the material and it is just as important for them to hear it presented well. Additionally, it is important for teachers to continually research their content for updates and to add in projects or sources that are innovative and engaging. Changing it up will help not only the instructor stay motivated but help the student get the best information in the best way.
It is easy to get caught up in doing things the same way over and over in a rote fashion. Students change, and so do their manners of learning. Being able to refocus on what I am trying to teach, and now how I am teaching it allows me to be flexible in classroom environment.
I know that when I teach the same class over and over again, I forget what fun activities I did in the beginning. I usually just start doing what is easy or faster, which becomes monotonous and boring. At times like these I have to remind myself what inspires me personally about the course and pull that back into my lessons. In the beginning that was easy, because that is what I went off of. Then my passion became muddled by all the information. If I make it exciting to myself, it will be exciting to them.
TANYA,
Well said. This is how you stay fresh and excited about teaching your content. You are right about the fact that if you are not interested it is for sure your students will not be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Teaching the same material time after time can be very boring. If the student sees that they will not be interested. That is when you need to refocus. Taking the same material and presenting it in a different way. Having the student present the material with the instructors help worked for me. Helps the instructor also.
Everything becomes habit or routine. We must refocus often to keep our class alive!
Muhammad,
Students like stories from the field because they help the content to come alive and have application to their studies. Stores are good motivators for students, so keep sharing them on a regular basis.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Share good stories during the lesson if you feel like their distraction to provide some break.
Instructors are human and they occasionally burn-out due to a variety of reasons. When this happens, instructors must refocus if they are to be of any value to their students.
Jennifer,
Right you are and this is why we need to offer variety in our instructional delivery. This way we can appeal to the different learning preferences and keep the focus of our students for the duration of our classes.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students learning styles can be different. It is of upmost importance to identify how the student will attain the information presented to be successful. Whether they are a visual, tactile,or auditory learner one should change the focus of their teaching style to accomodate the student.
Eric,
Good reminder because you are right. We cannot let down or the energy of the class will be lost and this loss will impact the engagement and focus of students. When they start to wear down it is time to introduce something new or exciting and ramp them back up.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is all too easy to lose your excitement for your classes as the semester/quarter goes on. Often this happens gradually and you do not even notices that you are slowly starting to just "go through the motions". This is why it is very important to take time to do some reflection and on what direction your classes are taking. I find for me, I need to do it frequently to ensure consistency in my performance.
Every class is different. Each student has their own needs and obstacles.
If you don't refocus once a week or so you will stop seeing the people in your class because all the students are in the way.
David,
Having fun as an instructor is one of the reasons I have been teaching for so long. Teaching has never gotten boring to me (note: full disclosure the paperwork, politics, and at time the people have.) but the students and my subject area has not. I am excited at your excitement because you are enjoying your time in helping students to move closer to their career goals.
As for the team building time I think it is a good thing if there are clear outcomes and everyone can see why it is important to their professional development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
After being exposed too this information, am thinking that change and having fun changing in the class room is in part how my heart is. Looking forward too learning more skills in order to deliver the best that I can, thank you for exposing new pathways. We have too enjoy what we our doing. We our not the smartest one in the room, OK, lets have fun learning. Its not about me, its about being able teach. Do you think that the teaching staff should have team building time?
