personality of Instructor
Wow!! This course is insightful. The different style of instructors brings different values into their classroom. We should all strive to incorporate the qualities of a guiding instructor.
Mary Beth, great comment. Students expect their instructors to be experts in their fields. This involves knowing current events and some of the historically significant events in their area and body of knowledge.
James Jackson
Linnie, students are like teenagers - Their parents get smarter as they get older. In otherwords, your students will come to appreciate you more and more as they progress through the stages of their careers. Many of us can remember having differences with parents or a mentor and over time we come to realize how smart they really were. Hang in there and focus on the transfer of knowledge to your students. Their appreciation of what you do for them will grow over time.
James Jackson
Gwendolyn, as is usually the case in any profession, it takes time to become skilled in your craft. Teaching is as much as art form as it is a science. Find different seasoned instructors and find times to monitor their teaching styles and methods of presentation. Take the gold nuggets you find and use them in your classroom. There is nothing wrong with using techniques you can learn from others to improve your teaching style.
James Jackson
Peter, students know who is there for them and the materials and who is just collecting a pay check. If you are prepared for class and genuine in your desire to transfer your knowledge to your students they will respond and gain from the experiences you provide.
James Jackson
Another way of showing you are passionate about teaching and your subject is to remain current in your field. Bring to the classroom information or an article you have recently read, relays to your students your continuous interest in your subject.
I find with adults, I have to really consintrate on not being their "friend". It's great if they like me, but if they don't, thats ok.... I here to teach.
I have to say, I am a new teacher of adults and so far I love it..but I think I am more of the "buddy" and want to work on being a "guide". I need to find that balance. In my work life, I am in social work, so my focus is on the person and their issues. This class has showed me that style wont work in the classroom. Gwendolyn
Personality of an Instructor for me =Passion of an Instructor.
If you love what you teach, then it is really clear that your passion will show in your personality.
Bringing to life and simplyfiying a task through the passion/personality of an Instructor helps to manage and command a classroom,
When students,through word of mouth and peer experiance request classes that an Instructors shows true passion and knowledge of subject matter, then that class has taken on the personality of that Instructor...What a great privilage.
Steven, it all comes down to understanding your students and building professional relationships. The better you become at learning about your students and their reasons for attending school the better you will become at achieving your learning objectives.
James Jackson
We as instructors have the ability to reach out and conect to each and every student wether or not they are disruptive/threating. Thats our job.
Jay, can you share some of the ways you lead your students by example? Are there any areas you feel you need some additional work or coaching to take your skills to that next level? Thanks for anything you can share.
James Jackson
I believe in updating the quizes after each class. The material is changing constantly. Dennis
I liked the idea of asking to meet with a disruptive/threatening student in the presence of your department chairman and/or academic dean. Once I simply met with an angry student by myself at the break, and he started to yell so that all could hear. I'd rather the administrators also heard him yell and perhaps it would not have been such a threatening situation.
I believe in lead by example. A guiding Instructor has most of those same traits.
harprit, the only constant is change. Those that feel their techniques of 10 years ago will serve them well today are kidding themselves and are in denial. Evolve or perish needs to be the focus. As educators we need to be the models of lifelong learning. Do not rely on your employer to advance your skills, just like we ask students to take ownership of their education, we as professional educators need to take ownership of our professional development.
James Jackson
Teaching is a evolving field; fortunately, there are many tools available to become better at what one does. And I also think that instructors need to take the time out to reflect on themselves and ascertain what works inside their classrooms and what doesn't. Sometimes, we get stuck with our old habits, sort of like being on auto pilot, exhibiting the same pattern of performance, doing the same thing over and over again. We expect our students to learn and transform themselves professionally; I think as instructors we should keep an open mind, be self-aware, acknowledge our weaknesses, learn to improve the weaknesses, adapt, and conquer.
Harprit,great observation. The focus should always be on us as instructors leading the way for our students with respect to life long learning. So much information is becoming available on "best practices" for teaching and learning, we simply need to schedule some time each week and month to focus on knowing what is taking place and what others are doing within their classrooms. Courses like this and regular participation in discussion boards can be simple ways to stay on top of the changes and new information that becomes available.
James Jackson
