Hi Kevin,
Absolutely! Get with the seansoned instructors, they can teach you the tricks of the trade!
Patricia
If resources are available, I think trailing a well established instructor who represents the school and underderstands the culture is most effective.
Patricia,
This question is so unfair as I have made almost all of them at least 100 times! Guess I should have read this prior to teaching.
The best way to avoid making common mistakes is to respect the boundaries between students and the instructor. Although many are the same age and from similar backgrounds, there is a line that exists and it must be expected. The sooner you establish student/instructor norms, the easier the course will proceed.
Greg
Hi Susan,
Yes, rules should be enforced for ALL students. An instructor quickly loses credibility whenever they begin to make exceptions for certain students.
Patricia
Study Max Knowledge then put it into practice. Talk to peers. Practice classroom management, always looking for improvement. Start day one with clearly outlined expectations and "rules". Listen. Any exceptions to "the rule" must be allowed for every student.
This is a very nice quote. I will use this on my syllubus to allow students time to reflect.
Hi Kimberly,
Certainly, the classroom is very unpredictable, and we as educators must be able to adjust quickly. No two days are ever the same in the classroom. Instructors must have great flexibility.
Patricia
Keeping a level head at all times, not getting caught up in your plan so much that you can not handle a change in it. The classroom is never predictable.
Having a written plan will help you execute all of your goals for that specific class time.... even if you get off onto other subjects, questions, etc..... you always have your written plan (lecture) to refer back to...
I agree. Great list. Good preparation helps me. And I try to get to class early and make inquiry about any "confusing" things I might have done previously.
Hi Robert,
Absolutely! Don't beat yourself up. Mistakes happen. Accept them and move on.
Patricia
Forgive yourself, be willing to admit that you made a mistake and get help.
Instructor makes mistakes as well and some ways to avoid doing the same mistakes are focus and be prepared to come to class. Make notes and follow key notes. Also, practice and have another instructor resource you. We learn new things everything.
Hi Ajani,
The main point is that you have learned from each mistake.
Patricia
Ditto. Unfortunately, I've had to make the mistakes mentioned in this course before reading about them in order to really listen. The material contained here on experience, organization, and rapport especially may be very timely if we've just committed these errors recently!
Hi Valerie,
I understand those "senior" moments! It is good when we can laugh.
Patricia
Very well said!! I've made my share of mistakes and have always used humor to overcome it. It does let the students know that I am human and can poke fun of myself for having a "senior" moment.
I like the numbered list lets stick to it
Hi Ronald,
It is good when we can accept that even as educators we are not perfect. Constructive feedback from upper management is always good.
Patricia
Evaluations, are used at the end of every course. we encourage the students to be honest about the goood gad and the ugly. and sometimes they are just that.We have upper Management sit in on out class's to observe, this can be painful sometimes but necessary .I have to know I'm not perfect, and must be willing to change when needed.I must remember that I'm not just here for a pay check,but also for my students.
