Hi Renee,
This stragety really works. It is so effective.
Patricia
It always sounded silly to me until I tried it- I practiced in the mirror the night before delivering big and/or new lectures. It helped me put aside a lot of the "what-ifs".
Hi Elizabeth,
Confidence does come with experience. I truly love teaching as well. I am a 21-year veteran. I don't want to do anything else.
Patricia
The more experience the more confidence. I love teaching.
Hi Sabrina,
What type of ativities/services you have at your institution to minimize stress?
Patricia
Hi Elizabeth,
I hear you. Get away from it all!
Patricia
Hello Elizabeth,
Experience is certainly the best teacher.
Patricia
Hi Elizabeth,
Being READY to teach is a sure way to reduce anxiety.
Patricia
Hi Elizabeth,
This is a great exercise to promote positivity. The instructor and students get to learn about each other on a positive level.
Patricia
If the class has been together for a while I ask each person to get a paper bag. then each person has to write something "positive" about each person and place the note in their bag. Kind of like valentines day but this recognizes people for what they bring in a positive student level. Example would be if someone wrote: Shannon, patient and always has time to listen. What happens with this excercise is that you relate to your fellow classmates in a more positive manner. This can also be used in a family setting when you have conflict.
Hi James,
I agree, I think if you are ready to deliver you are ready for the class.
The more experience and lessons you learn from being an instructor I think it becomes less stressful. Even though each class will be different you learn thru experience
Go for a run, excercise, eat right and take a deep breath.
Hi Donald,
Once you become comfortable in your role the anxiety will decrease or even cease.
Patricia
Overcoming pre-class nerves and anxiety is all part of teaching. What I do is greet the students at the door to the classroom as they arrive. After the bell I sit on the edge of the desk and start asking general questions. This leads to student introductions and the course over view.
Every class starts the same and every class has some anxiety, just the nature of the job.
Hi James,
You mentioned some good pointers to reduce instructor anxiety. Preparation, oganization, knowledge, control, and professionalism are all great traits to have to reduce instructor anxiety.
Patricia
I beleive by knowing your subject,having the expeirience,and time in the class room will make a difference.How ever, if you are a new instructor go with the basics of the course to get a feel for how the students are going to react to your style or deleivery,to help you with your comfort level.
Since I have not been a new instructor in a LONG TIME…I am going for reduction of Stress/Anxiety on a global scale:
We teach for personal reasons—we experience high levels of intrinsic satisfaction.
• We like to help people and give back to our communities
• We love to impart our wisdom to the next generation of professionals
• It is incredibly fulfilling knowing that we can help change a life
The vast majority of faculty members have responsibilities outside the online classroom, whether it’s a full or part time job, family obligations or social and community commitments. It’s no wonder we experience Stress. In a recent APA (American Psychological Association) survey, one-third of Americans believe themselves to be under extreme stress, and over half report it started in the last 5 years.
While stress may be a factor in the general population, teachers, and specifically online instructors, are experiencing varying levels of stress. Faculty Stress has been measured in a number of recent studies, one in Scotland and another in the United States.
The Scottish study found that faculty stress impacts teaching negatively. About half of those surveyed admitted that their considerable levels of stress were so extreme as to render their abilities sub-par.
Early studies on distance learning focus on the shifting paradigm of the teaching experience; its emphasis on technology and the changing face of social and environmental interaction.
While the pioneers of online education may have suffered from high levels of stress, anxiety, isolation and lack of support, today’s online reality is much different than it was ten years ago. The new generation of online educators work distance learning because they understand the medium and the platform, and believe they can make a positive difference in the lives and careers of students.
While educator stress may not have affected the overall student view of our classrooms, the quality of our lives is important for continued health and happiness. At other universities, the feelings are that “stress, or admitting to being stressed-out, is seen as a weakness by staff and administrators and is therefore not acknowledged or discussed [sic].” Those who touch the lives of students need support in order to function at the highest levels within and beyond the classroom.
Hi Sandy,
May I add, talk to an experienced instructor. They will give you great advice.
Patricia
Hi James,
A review is always refreshing! Students appreciate reviews.
Patricia
