Because if you don't refocus, you will get burned out and become ineffective. If you love teaching, you don't want to become unfocused.
Crystal,
Everyone can get tired and worn down and it is easy to follow a routine without any excitement or enthusiasm for what is being taught. You make a good point as to why we cannot let this happen to us or our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Instructors need to take time to refocus mid-course because delivery can get predictable and stale. Refocusing can help the instructor as well as the students to recharge, take inventory and refocus toward successful course completion with enthusiasm.
Julian,
Great news about the value you got from ED 102. I am excited for you and your teaching efforts for next term. Enjoy your teaching and your students!
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Insructor always and that's a big word need to take time to refocus and use whatever methods or techniques that work for them. I find taking course like ED 102 a great way to get recharged for the next term.. year etc.
Thomas,
This is a good way to keep everyone fresh and excited about the current course they are teaching.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
We rotate within the department. This provides a bit of variety to the instructors, and provides a exposes the students to different teaching styles in the department.
Instructors need to make sure that they recharge their batteries because they, much their students, become lethargic and hit the "proverbial" wall. It's very important for us to refocus we can continue to keep the students motivated.
It is easy to get into a rut where you just teach like a robot and forget to refocus on your new classes. Each class just seems to blend into each other. Refocusing is needed for each new class.
Kathy,
I have had those classes at times. They "checkout" before they complete the course or graduate. I follow the same strategy as you in that I try to shock them a bit by bringing in a program graduate and have that person tell them like it really is. Sometimes this works and other times it doesn't. With the latter I know they are in for a rude shock when and if they get a job in their field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I find it most necessary to refocus when I teach students who are nearing the end of the program. Too often student apathy and "senioritis" set in and it feels like nothing I could do or say would even be noticed by some students.
I try to overcome student apathy by engaging the students in realistic situations that will simulate what they may encounter in the workplace. It's not working well this time. So, to answer your question, I am very thankful for the times when I can mentally "step away" and refocus on renewing my own energy and enthusiasm.
Kathy
Andric,
How do you do this with them?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
so they can stay on course
Nancy,
It is something we all need to do if we are going to bring our A game to the classroom or lab each time we enter them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When instructors do not take time to REFOCUS, they begin to wear down and burn out. Such instructors become unexcited and ineffective! Taking time to REFOCUS will allow an instructor to maintain their effectiveness and influence in the classroom.
John,
How do you do that for yourself?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
To recharge their batteries.
Joe,
Good point about how easy it is for us to get settled into our own routine and the excitement of teaching is lost. We need to reset our attitudes and bring our A game each time we step into a classroom or lab.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
sometimes we may get too comfortable and lose fucus on the lesson.
I also agree, we can become "outdated", because we are not out in the field, but keeping up to date in all course updates or changes is imperative to be innovative to obtain that "buy in" response from the students.
