In addition to being an instructor, I am also pursuing my BA. I reiterate to my students that I am a student also and I know what it is like to work full time and go to school.
Double checking your work. Making sure that you are accurately putting in the right information. Not speeding through something just to get it over with.
Trying to be someone you're not. In the attempt to engage students, or make things enjoyable, many try to act like “that amazing presenter†we saw last week.Students are turned off by instructors who are fake. You can pull ideas and techniques from other presenters to be more effective, but if you’re acting like another person by using their personality style to get your audience to like and listen to you, you will be disappointed.
Hi Dan,
This is an old strategy, but it is certainly effective.
Patricia Scales
Hi Melissa,
You definitley have the right mindset. We are all human, and we will make mistakes. Learn from each mistake made and do not be afraid to try something new.
Patricia Scales
My classes are generally 8 four-hour days, and I will have 8 to 30 students. My "trick", (shamelessly borrowed from Harry Wong), for learning their names, albeit for the short-term, is to have them sit alphabetically by last name. As an aid to learning their names, and tracking attendance, all I have to do is glance at my roster, before calling on a student.
I think it is important to be open to feedback. I always seek out mentors in the positions I've held. I look to them to provide guidence and feedback.
Just because something works at one time does not mean it will work the next time. YOu have to keep learning new things, trying new ideas out to see what works and what doesn't.
What I have learned is to not be afraid to screw up. When you do, admit it, learn from it and move on. STudents and staff have greater respect for you when you can admit your mistakes.
Hi Kirsten,
Nicely stated! An experienced teacher can be one of your best resources to learn teaching strategies/pointers from.
Patricia Scales
Hi Janice,
It is good to know that you want to be even more effective! I have been teaching for more than 23 years, and I still change things up a bit.
Patricia Scales
Hi Rick,
Preparation is key! You will be successful when you are prepared. Keep up the good work!
Patricia Scales
Hi Kesa,
Absolutely! You have to be firm, yet fair as an instructor, otherwise even adult students will take full advantage of you.
Patricia Scales
I like the saying from one of the videos presented earlier, and that's that "The only way you can do the right thing well is to do it poorly first.." As instructors, we all aim to do things well, but we are human and we make mistakes. The best way to avoid them is to listen to others that are more experienced, take classes, etc. and be aware of past mistakes made so that we can learn from them and recognize right away if we're falling back into a behaviour within the classroom that is not entirely positive for ourselves or our students.
I've been teaching for 6 years and am also constantly looking for "fresh" ways to teach. Listening to a student's questions will often let me know how I can better present the information.
I always over prepare. I keep notes and extra stories on deck for driving home specific points.
Taking this class has enlightened me about what to avoid and what I am doing right. When I first started to do clinic instruction I kept a journel to note what works and what doesn't. I read it before each clinical class and wrote in it at the end of class. I don't see the students until the last term and only a half a day a week. I have problems remembering their names. I see that it is important to do this and I will work harder to do this.
I do my best to be prepared for class before it begins. I am the first to arrive to class and give myself a half hour or more just in case I need to adjust for any reason. This gives me time to do any extra preparation needed.
One way to avoid common mistakes as an instructor is to stay disciplined and not allow too much leway. You want students to learn responsibility, so adhering to deadlines is a aprt of that process. Being too lenient is counter productive.
Hi Heather,
I concur! It is irrelevant to let students know that is is your first time teaching. Sharing this information opens up a can of worms.
Patricia Scales
Hi Sheril,
Nicely stated, and you are definitely on point! You do not need their approval, you only need their respect. You would like for your students to like you, that is human nature, but it is okay if they do not as long as they respect you.
Patricia Scales
Hi Mary,
PowerPoints are great, and they can certainly be a big help to auditory/visual learners.
Patricia Scales
