I think one of the greatest things we can impart, other than necessary, relevant content about our field, is a sense of excitement about learning, learning as a life long process that we are also engaged in. Students know when an instructor is "stuck in a rut" or stagnant.
Good idea to prepare double lesson plans at first
As a new instructor and sitting in on my road to take my first class its great to see how many of you are still trying to become better and showing me how to carry myself.
Being my first teaching position, I have given myself permission to make mistakes. When I do, I try and correct the issue as soon as possible.
I get to class 45 minutes early so that I have time to go over any power points, worksheets or assignments for the day.
I think the first step is recognizing that they are mistakes. I don't know how many instructors that I have trained over the year that you tell them that they are not the students' friend and they still do it and then wonder why it blew up in their face. I think we need to learn from others mistakes so that we don't have to make them ourselves in order to learn the lesson.
Hi Rosalyn,
You are an awesome instructor! I can tell you want to be the very best and produce quality graduates! Continue to be one of the best educators!
Patricia Scales
I think when you don't know and admit it, it makes the students feel more comfortable with admitting they don't know something. I tell my students that they will learn a lot of new information, and they will probably forget much of it until they actually use it. I take time to help them know where to look and how to look things up. Sometimes the example is when I don't know the answer to a question.
As an instructor I establish the ground rules on the first day of class. Students are informed about the stucture and expectations of the Mod early on. I establish my credability as a qualified, interested, approachable instuctor in a professional manner. During lectures I use Guided Notes so that students can concentrate on the pertinent material and are relieved of questioning what is important and relevant.
I also keep clear boundaries as an instuctor and establish myself as someone who is interested in the success of each of my students. I maintain consistency of stucture and clear guidelines.
As a new instructor I had a challenge with remembering students names, which is no longer the case as this is very meaningful to each individual to be viewed as a valued member of the classroom and someone I take an interest in.
I maintain a journal of challenges in the classroom, techniques I used previously that worked and did not work. Each group is different, therefore I customize my instructing according to my audience.
My first year teaching I thought because I worked in the operating room for years that my knowledge alone would teach the class. I was wrong. My students wanted to know why not just how I worked on a daily dasis in the OR. I know make sure I explain why a procedure is performed a certain why and I back my statements up with our Standards of Practice.Thank was a rough year.
Never believe what worked before is going to work again is key to keeping things fresh in your classroom; not only for you but for your students. I am always looking to new ideas and new material to use. Each Mod I have differs from the last so what worked for the previous Mods may not totally work for the current.
Keep an open mind.
With being a new instructor, I am "team teaching" 3 courses. This is a great experience and opportunity. Because I may be teaching these courses at some point in the future, I am making notes after each class as to how much extra or too little time was left. This will help me to develop a lesson plan in the future. I also make suggestions as to what other resources I could have used and things that were discussed that were not on the syllabus. Over planning is so important. I am also able to observe 3 totally different teaching styles while observing students classroom behavior and appreciation for which style they seem to prefer. I will definitely be incorporating some points from each of the instructors I have observed.
Thanks, Diane
I agree, letting my students know I am human from the get go kind of makes me approachable.
This in turn teaches the students that learning and self evaluation are constants and should be welcomed.
Being well prepared, and taking time to review our lectures, notes, slides, etc, keeps everyone
more interested.
I am relieved to see how many experienced instructors worry about the same things as I do. I am on my first class and it is nice to know that instructors like yourself still are trying to improve. That instructing is very similar to my work as a nurse. If you think you know it all it maybe time to find something new to do. These are fields that you can never know it all.
Hi Stacy,
You are right, these are great tools to help you improve as an instructor. I have even heard of some instructors asking particular questions at the end of the course to gain self improvement.
Patricia Scales
I have just begun teaching within the past year. I feel I have made several of these common mistakes. however each new class I get I feel I teach stronger and am learning from each situation I am in. I have been undeterred by my mistakes and have used them as a learning tool. Each new class of students I teach presents an entirely new series of problems and potential mistakes. It has definitely been a daily learning experience
Paying attention to class surveys and comments can provide some insight as well as asking students along the way - how was the pace today. Is this explanation clear? Also observer feedback can be important for self assessment.
The most common way you can avoid instructor mistakes is by not imitating anyone else. Every instructor has their own teaching styles, find your own and not someone else's. Another way to avoid mistakes is by prepairing prior to entering the classroom. Never become too overly confident in your subject matter that you don't prepare. Lastly, continuing education, continue educating yourself because healthcare is always changing.
Hi Terri,
Preparation is key! Students can tell when you are not prepared, and they do not like it! Being unprepared is a quick way to ruin your reputation.
Patricia Scales
Hi Harry,
Great! Glad to know the effectiveness of the class. Keep striving to be the best educator possible.
Patricia Scales
I think being over-prepared and well organized is your best bet to reduce common errors.
