Well going hard line with the students.."do this or your out of here" My way or the highway. Much of this came from frustration in the early days. Now I'm much more warm and fuzzy times have changed.
A mistake I have done is thinking sometimes you are friends with the student.I am not saying friendly as in a true personnel friendship because this really doesn't work in a student/instructor teaching situation.You are the expert and they are the trainees you may have to walk a very narrow path so everyone is treated in somewhat of a equal manner.You must work at this always so each individual feels they are treated equal and can approach you for help.Talking with other instructors and people in the industry can help to keep you from this pit fall.
I think most of my mistakes have been big and I have made the same mistakes as others have mentioned. One that sticks out to me is having only one way to explain a concept. If the student did not understand the point I was trying to get across, I was at a loss and did not know what else to do. A few years ago, I was in a position where I needed to explain technical information to the general public. That is where I had to sink or swim. I began listening to how others explained the same material which allowed me to be more creative in my own explanations. Now it is my goal to have several ways to get the point across. Our staff of instructors commonly share ideas which makes all of use better at what we do.
The biggest mistake is in class control. I started out too easy and did not deal with students talking. What I soon realized that although I was able to talk over the students, it was a large distraction for other students. I have found and gotten advice from other instructors that I need to start strict and ease up IF I feel the students can handle it.
The biggest mistake had to be that I wanted to be the good guy so I would give students chances when they didn’t follow the rules set in class. Soon I was giving every student multiple chances to be fair. Now I go over the rules, and address the first offender immediately, establishing the importance of the rules, and controlling the environment.
Hi Jason,
You always have to deal with these type problems in a very special way. I generally do not make an issue along with the student about the test question(s). After class, I evaluate the question(s), and I calmly let the students know if points were given back. If you do not make an issue, the students' issues will diffuse.
Patricia
Hello Kenneth,
I am so glad you realized your mistake, and it sounds like you learned from your mistake. As a beginning instructor there is a lot to be learned about teaching. I have been teaching for over 20 years, and I am still learning, but I have learned a tremendous amount.
Patricia
Hi John,
The instructor should always be in the lead whenever it comes to classroom control. Trial and error is a sure way to learn as to how to control your class. Control is something you have to continue to perfect.
Patricia
While giving a test I found that I had some issues with some of the test questions. When a student raised an issue with a test question, I made the mistake of agreeing with the student, and telling them of my concerns with the question. That lead to the students wanting to argue and debate each and every test question on every test. This became very disruptive, and began to spiral out of control.
Now if I have a problem with a test question I try to get the question fixed, or I answer the students questions with some more information that can fix the question. I try to put a positive spin on all test questions.
I think the biggest mistake that I have made in the classroom was at the beginning of my career. I would not spend the require class preparation that is needed to deliver effective training. This would cause inconsistencies in my lesson plan and it facilitation. It did not take very long to realize that it was required to build a foundation before class to have a good class. The biggest thing that I learned from this experience was preparation is the key to the students learning and having confidence in you as an instructor.
The biggest mistake was class control. Over the years I have learned what and what not to do in a class (trial by fire) and sill fine tuning the class control. I have found that class control can sometimes be a give and take, as long as the Instructor is in the lead.
Hi Leonardo,
The buddy approach is understood by students to be just that "buddy." Buddies are suppose to look out for you, this is how students think.
Patricia
I learned real quick that you can not be buddies with the students; they will walk all over you. When I first began as an instructor I tried the buddy approach. It was my impression that we were all adults, and they all knew what was expected of them. I felt if I would ask my buddy to do something they would just do it. Boy was I in for a big surprise. After that I learned that my students needed to respect me in order to get anything accomplished. Now I start my course with a description of my qualifications as an instructor and my clear expectations of the class. This has really seemed to work out well for me.
Hi William,
Always be the same, therefore, you students will no exactly what to expect. We get from our students what we expect from them. If we set the standards high, certainly they will rise to that level. Let's always expect much from our students.
Patricia
My biggest mistake was being wishy-washy tough one time real soft the next with no consistency for the students to see what is really expected. I learned that set the standards and then follow them the students will usually rise to the challenge. As a TTL I will do most of the cross training in the coourses that I teach and will always go over this with the new instructors during the prep or post review time each day.
I think the biggest mistake I've made since I started teaching was during a new course that I was teaching for the first time I was asked a question that I didn't know the answer to, instead of admitting I didn't know the answer I just made up an answer that sounded good but was of course completely wrong, one of my students who worked in the field knew I was wrong and proved it the next day. It only took one time for me to learn to never do this it’s always better to just admit you don't know and then give the student who is asking the question the assignment of finding out the correct answer and giving the class a report the next class session.
Hi Robert,
Make it all known on the first day. It is imperative that the tone is set on Day 1, if you try to establish much more after Day 1, things can become somewhat difficult. Students want and appreciate boundaries.
Patricia
i made the mistake of telling them i was a new instructor 23 years ago,and they really got me for it. after that time i never did it again ,i told classes from that point on that i had taught back east for years and never had a problem again. i then built my own reputation going forward,i also still point that out to new instructors even today!!!
Not being firm and direct about rules and expectations from the first day can make for a very long course. if the students know where the boundries are, most will stay within them...the rest will need some extra attention.
Hi Svetlana,
It is okay to be friendly with your students, but you must know where to draw the line. You must let them know you are there instructor first and foremost and then their friends.
Patricia
