Most learning happens outside the classroom. Make class cards to get to know facts about your students
The more human side of teaching was highlighted in this section. Just as a floor nurse, you set the stage for students to engage with each other and superiors.
The importance of being enthusiastic and creating a learning environment.
I am a caring, compassionate instructor. I like to greet my students before and after class. Building a good rapport with student can provide them with confidence and they are more likely to apporach you when they need help and they know you are willing to assist them to succeed.
I would like to make my class fun and exciting to keep them excited regarding content.
The importance of being enthusastic about the content that I am teaching and making sure that the students are receptive and engaging in what is being taught.
I teach programming. One of the biggest issues that i face is that there are students who just are not initially interested in the topic. What I try to do is show them how this seemingly odd topic will actually help them in creating networking scripts, making interesting websites, and of course we also take the time to make games :)
Reply to Noah Basta's post: WOW! That sounds interesting. I would not even know where to begin with something like this. Do tell.
This is where I struggle during classes I facilitate. I am just not into entertainment and jokes. Especially when it comes to technology lectures. Plus, I am truly a weirdo outside of class. I do not like comedy shows. And, I watch tennis or read books about entrepreneurism or being engaged with business ownership. And, there's really not anything funny about those two.
But, what I think I will do (as I have done in past semesters) is ask students if anyone has something hysterically funny that has happened to them in the past month or week? Then, if they can tell everyone about it in a couple of minutes we will go with that and have our laugh. Lately, I think COVID-19 and all that is happening for home-based workers using these collaboration apps is pretty entertaining from a technology perspective. I may do some research of all the various cases across the world and make it fun during a class or two.
Adult learners are different in that they are motivated to learn the material being presented as long as they are being treated as adults. It's important to have passion and fun with learning as it can form a more cohesive classroom and a better learning environment.
In order to promote enthusiasm in learning, the instructor must also have a sense of enthusiasm. This will help to guide students in the direction for successful learning and help to promote the retention of students.
I probably underestimated the importance of telling jokes before class and picking a silly day to celebrate just for fun. This will be big during covid-19 virtual Instruction.
I have found that you have to keep the classroom alive! Meaning, keeping the students engaged. I made it a habit with starting the class off with a scenario, where the student would have to complete the next steps and other faculty would join in depending on the type of scenario it is. I would also put the students into groups and have them teach the class to each other with of course interjections if something important is missing. The students would anticipate on coming to the next class because they did not know what to expect so to give a little excitement goes a long way. Be creative and innovative is what I have learned and will keep adding to that.
Reminded that getting students to have done work ahead of time, so that class explores, not introduces, content, is often important.
I will ensure to create a dynamic learning environment for all students making sure they are learning what is in the standard based curriculum.
I have considered the opportunity to lighten up in class. I believe this allows students to be normal and not try to confirm to a preconcieved idea of who I think they are, who I am or even their classmates.
I had my students to act out biological processes to assist them with learning difficult processes and to encourage them to become active participants.
This module has hit home, explaining as an educator I am responsible for setting the class tone outside of the context of course content. It also made me reflect and view the value of the class as a team, in that as the leader I am responsible to prime their minds, create intrig, expose the mysteries to difficult concepts. The modifications to my teaching plan, begin the class with an intro into an off topic acknowledgement, and to ensure individual inclusion for the silent student. There's a lot of to work to be performed!
Have fun, safe, positive classrooms.
