I think that it is so important as instructors that we realise and embrace our own limitations and tendencies. It is so easy and not at all uncommon to become complacent about course material, especially when you have been teaching the same courses for some time.
It is crucial that we continue to research our areas of instruction, refresh our material as new material emerges, and ensure that we are staying abreast of all new material and changes. Continuing education is a crucial part of this process, as is stepping back from time to time to assess ourselves.
It is necessary to stay current, knowledgable, and growing so that we are vital to our students. They will not be interested in what we say if they find it is not meeting the stated goals of a syllabus or course description. We cannot remain effective as instructors if we are not always examining all aspects of our teaching requirements and execution thereof.
It is important for Instructors to remain interested in what, and how, they are teaching. If they do not continue to grow, they will not remain interested, and interesting, to their students.
We as humans can get tired or burned out along the course some where. We are teaching the same lessons over and over can get too familiar with the material and began to loose enthusiasm when presenting the material to new student group. This is why I think it is good for instructors to occasionally take time to "Refocus" themselves to be more effective with our students.
Hi Julius,
Good point about dropping back and regrouping. This effort will help the instructor to be more focused in both delivery and attitude.
Gary
Hi Aquila,
I couldn't agree more. An instructor that is excited about what he/she is teaching and conveys that excitement to students is going to enjoy being able to help educator the next generation of workers in the field.
Gary
One reason for doing so would allow the instructor to regroup and possibly rechannel. This would allow for better and more effective learning and a greater appreciation of the information. Besides you may see that your attitude toward the lesson can effect the students understanding of materials.
I agree wholeheartedly. Once you have rejuvenated your teaching efforts and apply them to the classroom, you will also feel the energy level of the students rising, and feel the excitement of wanting to participate more in the activities and discussions presented.
Hi Bertram,
Good strategy. The students need that extra boost at that point in the course so they don't wear down completely and give up.
Gary
Hi Aquila,
So true. By reflecting on the fact you need to get the wind back in your sails and then working on getting it done you will refresh your teaching efforts. Also, your attitude will be enhanced so you will start enjoying once again why you became a teacher.
Gary
I find that by mid-term, because students start missing classes that I get frustrated. My method of refocus is to make an effort to be more interesting to the students who attend regularly, this seems to have a positive impact on the students who have been missing class when they return.
First, you have to recognize that you are in a slump. Once you see it, take a look at the class to see if they are suffering with the same illness. Re-evaluate, look at new challenges for the class. Ask the class for ideas for projects that might work for the upcoming lessons. Including them in selecting projects empowers them. If students are allowed to take part, then they are more likely to take ownership of assigned projects. This will help bring excitement back to the class.
Hi Greg,
I like the way you approach your subject area and then refresh your students in what they have learned. This is a sequential way of showing them what they are learning and how to apply it.
Gary
Even though we are essentially teaching the same subject matter over and over, term after term, it can be different each and every time because of the students. I feel the students keep the material fresh as well as the instructor.
It's important to refocus on your reasons for becoming an educator, and the importance of your career. Not only are we preparing students to be successful, we are helping to mold lives.
It is much easier to empower someone else if you yourself feel empowered.
There are several reasons that an instructor might need to refocus on the subject. There might have been some very critical information just completed in the course. The instructor and the students might need to readjust them selves with the course. They just climbed a mountain and now we have to apply this new found knowledge.
I teach accounting and there are several steps and concepts to learn before we can apply them to the office. So after each concepts is learned and we start to sharpen our skill level I will apply this to the real-world. I try to apply it to different disciplines of accounting.
Instructors generally set their own standards very high, that is, they want to cover more course contents than can be possibly covered in a semester, more student successes than can be achieved, etc. As a result, since things don't always happen as planned in the classroom, the instructors tend to be discouraged and question their ability to teach and manage their classes. This is the time to refocus, which will allow the instructors to readjust their standards and keep going despite the adversities.
Keeping things fresh and enthusiastic is challenging each and every day. The variety of students sharing their own enthusiasm for the courses certainly helps.
Because we are all at risk for burn out especially when there are so many demands upon instructors. Students often are feeling overwhelmed and demand so much from us. I think it is important to stop, pat yourself on the back, reassess where you are and adjust your plans as needed.
stepping away....and reflecting upon what has been achieved....
