We need to REFOCUS ourselves to remember why we started teaching and showing enthusiasm about the subject matter sends a posiitve message to the students.
Hi Cathy,
This is so true. This is why we need to introduce a change of pace or new activity about mid-course to help both the students and ourselves to REFOCUS and get excited about the reason we are teaching/learning in the first place.
Gary
Dr. Meers,
I have found that the courses where student participation tapers off mid-year (ie: statistics)it is important for me to REFOCUS to keep my students engaged.
Because somethimes instructors will get burn out and they need to refocus to be an effective instructor
instructors are human and just like any other job - it gets tiring no matter how much you love it.
Hi Terrie,
This is so important because if you get out of sync with your class then it is going to be tough to recapture their enthusiasm and focus. By pausing as you mention to catch your breath and then get back to the instructional process you are going to be able to keep your excitement about being an instructor.
Gary
Cooperative learning is gaining popularity for a number of reasons. Evidence indicates that it raises achievement, promotes positive self concept and raises regard for others. It appears to be especially useful for students from racial minority and low socio-economic groups who have not excelled to the same degree as middle income majority culture pupils in the traditional competitive classroom. The performance of these previously less successful groups tends to rise in cooperative groups, majority culture students seem to achieve just as well as with the competitive style of instruction and learning, often better. Cooperative learning may also help to lessen the fatalistic attitude toward schooling that is often found among students from minority groups and those who have experienced repeated failure in the schools. When these students notice the value of their input and effort, a more internal locus of control and belief in one's ability is fostered.
As a new term begins and I get finished with the madness of the first week of class. I try to have some quality time for myself. When the students are getting on my last nerve, almost like they panic over the material and the seriousness of the profession, I need to go back and refocus to be sure I am doing my part to make sure they are getting the information they need.
Instructors can sometimes experience burn out too. When this occurs one needs to step back and focus on what made them excited on teaching a course or courses
Since we are human, we, too, can fall into a a state of boredom with something we are teaching. This can happen easily with courses we teach session after session.
By refocusing, we can see the progress we've made, take time to appreciate the student's progress, and set a solid base for finishing the quarter/semester.
When I was teaching face-to-face, I would always share a personal story with my students about week 7 or 8. For several years, I walked the mini marathon and halfway through the race, I would become disgruntled. I looked back and saw that I had just as far to go as I had already come, and that did not appeal to me. I knew I didn't want to quit, but I also knew I wanted the race to be over. That's how the middle of a quarter can seem to students and instructors. We don't want to quit, but we sure do want to see the end. I shared ways that I would encourage myself to continue during the midpoint of the race so that I made it to the end.
Betsy
Observing other instructors has been a highly motivating way for me to recharge by batteries. Seeing an instructor from a student point of view gives me ideas about what techniques have the most positive impact on students. Observing another instructor also allows me to question myself about techniques that I am using.
Refocusing is important in every aspect of any career or personal life adventures. Instructors need to refocus so that the energy can match or encourage lower energy students about their educational experience.
If an insructor does not refocus, the class slows and the teaching/learning suffers.
I liked the material on the second half of the class. Getting tired, we come be over-focused on the goal of completing the course - like a horse running for the barn at the end of a good ride. Without refocusing that creates "presence" to the material and students we might miss some of the best parts of the ride. Thanks for this.
Hi Beth,
This idea lets you step down a bit and enjoy your role as an educational leader. You are helping students to achieve their career goals and you are doing so by helping them in a number of different ways. So you don't have to be all knowing all the time but can direct them to where they can learn more about what interests them.
Gary
I teach computer application classes and when I am teaching several sections of the same class I have the opportunity to see what worked well in a class, and what didn't. If it seemed that they way I introduced a certain topic didn't really get their attention, in the next class I will present the same material in a completely different way to see if that helps. Instead of lecturing or projecting the steps in an assignment, I might break the students up into groups to work out various sections of the same assignment. It might not seem to me to be the best way to cover the topic, but if what I thought was best wasn't working, it doesn't hurt to shift gears.
The concept of Unburden uplifts my spirits tremendously. The idea of allowing me to "be myself" will make teaching more manageable and enjoyable. If I am pleased, the students will benefit from this too.
This topic also listed what roles to enhance: presenter, guide, coach, leader, evaluator, learner, and designer. If I think of myself in this way, it's fine if I'm not the all-knowing expert in the room.
What a relief!!
Beth
That way will give more motivation to the students in learning and will have better results in students retention
We live in an ever changing society with technology overloads. We as instructors must keep up professionally and technologically.
Hi Mary,
Good points about how we need to keep "sharp" in terms of our motivation and instructional delivery. You are right it is easy to slip into a routine and just let the course unfold. By reminding ourselves that we need to strive for excellence each time we teach a class will help us to stay on top of our game.
Gary
