Hi Isaac,
Preparation is key! It is always a clever idea to have more material prepared than what you expect to share.
Patricia
Hi John,
I like this practice! It really boosts a student's confidence whenever they find an instructor's mistakes. It goes to show students everyone makes mistakes.
Patricia
When I teach math, I tell them, "You have to check me." When they find a mistake, I say, "I'm so glad you're here!"
Be prepared! Also, be calm, cool and collected.
After every class I reflect on any mistakes I may have made. By doing this, I am able to attepmt not to duplicate this mistake. As an example, probably the one that has made the most difference; PREPARE. In the beginning I found myself not fully prepared. The lecture would go by so fast I would be left with nothing to do or say. I quickly realized I needed to start preparing earlier and have extra lecture topics, group assignments, etc... at the ready so whenever I needed it, it was there. This has helped a great deal.
Hi Josue,
Organization is key! Students can quickly tell when you are unorganized, and they will lose respect for you.
Patricia
Organizational management is very important to practice and helps avoid even the small mistakes instructors can make.
Hi Debra,
I agree! As a 22-year veteran as an educator, I do all that I can to help inexperienced instructors. I need the new instructors to pick the torch up because we need others to carry on with teaching, and it is great when they can learn from an exprienced source.
Patricia
I have been the "new" teacher on the block and have come to realize that whenever I teach a subject I am the expert on it, or they wouldn't be here to listen to me. I have also felt the butterflies that come with getting up infront of that class for the first time. I feel it is the responsibility of experienced staff to assist the new instructor in a positive way. For me it is all about dispelling the myth about nurse's eating their young. There is a shortage of educators in nursing now, lets not make it worse.
I agree also. I found that a little resect and listening to the students goes a long way.. students tend to be more open and learn better if they feel they are being heard.
In part of our Faculty Development training to teach a new class, we sit in with a senior instructor prior to the new course. Immediately, I can see from a student's position what comes off as professional and what does not. I can instantly ask myself if I would do these things during my normal teaching routine, and as long as I can be honest with myself, I can correct or implement the techniques I see first hand from another instructor.
Hi Benjamin,
Mentors are excellent. If you are not assigned a mentor, find a seasoned instructor as ask them to mentor you. Teaching will be a lot less painless if you can learn the tricks of the trade from the best.
Patricia
The best way to to have a mentor that you can talk with. This way you can bounce idea off of them and see what they have done in the past. Why re-invent the wheel. It already exists and use your mentor as a tool to become a strong and effective instructor.
Taking notes and how to correcte them .
Let my students know that I do not profess to know everything because everyday in my field I am always learning something new. We try to present an experienced, professional image, but be professional doesn't mean we do not make mistakes. Face and resolve mistakes is part of this professionalism. Show how to handle errors as part of teaching.Correcting the errors in front of the class shows the students we're able to learn from our mistakes.
Mary
The way I avoid mistakes is:
1) be preparred - know the material and do the assignments that you will give your students.
2) stay on task - don't get bogged down in off topic discussion
3) respect your students until they give you a reason otherwise - then meet privately to discuss any problem issues.
Hi Donna,
We have to help new instructors to understand that the students liking them is not what is most important; what is most important is that the students respect them and fully understand that the instructor has the knowledge, care, and professionalism to help change their lives.
Patricia
Its hard to inform new instructors what will come when they want students to like them.
I have experenced this quite often with new instrucotrs sometime they have to go though things for them selfs.
When you identify a mistake in class, you should not be afraid to correct. This will help students to learn that they can also make mistakes and correct.
Hi Enrique,
You should never let students know that you are new at teaching. They will try to take full advantage of you.
Patricia
