It's important for me to learn about my students - why they're there, their learning styles, some of their interests and struggles. This way I can build rapport with them, and also offer suggestions when they are struggling with the difficulties of combining school and life challenges.
I also like to learn about situations students have encountered with the subject we're discussing. Many of our students are already working in the field we're teaching and they have interesting stories to tell that bring the lessons alive to the other students.
Holt, It is important to stress the "need to know" information as well as using humor as you have described.
Michele Deck
Shelle, You were enticed by usable information which was relevant to your future career. Keep that in mind as you teach now.
Michele Deck
I make my classes fun,interesting,like to make a joke or 2 about different situations I had been into in the past working in the medical office.I always like to make sure that my students understand that all the information given in my class ,is the information that is absolutely necessary for them to work in the career they chose.
Hi Lisa,
I love to put students "in charge" during review. I have also asked them to play the role of the instructor and write their own final exam in groups. I have never given a final written by students, but most of the time they can come up with some very interesting questions that are close to what is on the final exam. I have them take the final they created and grade their own so they can see areas that need focus. The thought process of "See one, do one, teach one" really works!
Shelle
On most days, I would like to be a learner in my class. I have had instructors before that I could barely stay awake in class due to the lack of "other activities" except lecture. I found it extremely hard to attend those classes and had to force myself to go to class on those days. Giving small bits of information and giving a "what happens next class session" information always enticed me to return to a class the next meeting date.
Denise, relating your content to real world experience is a way to show relevance.
Michele Deck
First, because I never want to stop learning and students can bring information to a classroom that is valuable for the other students, as well as the instructor.
I keep my students pumped by showing enthusiasum and laughter. related it to field experience
Ben,I also believe you can learn ways to clarify information from students explaining it to others. Keeping the attitude of a learner is important.
Michele Deck
Effective teaching requires being able to adapt to your students. In addition to keeping abreast of technology advancements within the field, you have to customize the learning experience to the students for continued success with each class. Topics I discuss with one class may not be right for another. Encouraging students to work with other students in activities and study groups provides a great way to learn. Hearing the same material expressed in a slightly different way helps for retention and increases understandability. I like to listen to the class discuss topics without me and I always hear new ways of explaining concepts that help me with future classes.
Scott, I love the citing of Churchill's words. Teaching is a complex and simple process depending on the day, learners, and content. Thank you for your thoughtful answer.
Michele Deck
Mary, I like to have learners incorporate their life experience and historical context.
Michele Deck
It is essential to an instructor to continue to learn and grow not only in knowledge of the subject but also in knowledge of the current practices. Generally speaking the content of a subject remains constant but the learners do not. When we look at the new generations of learners we see different historical intelligence which means they view the content from a different perspective. As an instructor, it is necessary to incorporate this perspective into the material. This requires an instructor to be a constant learner.
Why would you want to be a learner in your own classes?
Learning is a continuous process for instructors. Let’s face it, being in the classroom is not always easy and it takes a very flexible and observant person to pull off this feat successfully. Every class has different backgrounds, personalities, education and learning styles. As an instructor it is our job to pull all these variables together in some type of organized fashion and provide a comfortable learning environment. It should go without saying that instructors have to continually learn….everything from what works to what failed and how you want to improve.
“Learning is a complex process and there are many interacting variables that influence learning. Learning is not an isolated human activity and for internal school students learning occurs within the context of a classroom, the school, a broader community and a particular society.â€
An instructor, who is a variable in the classroom context, is charged with the function of acting as an “intermediary†between the variables outside the classroom and the students to assist the students in their learning. The function of being an “intermediary†means that the instructor has the role of facilitating student learning, as well as being a part of the school and community. Fulfilling the functions of an instructor means that the instructor is also actively engaged in learning. Learning about themselves, the changes in their field, the expectations of the community and society and most importantly learning about their students and ways of enabling their students to grow and develop. The role of the instructor has many facets but that of facilitating student learning is very important.
“Learning can be defined as occurring when we change or elaborate what is already known to us. The learning process can be defined as "…making connections, identifying patterns, organizing previously unrelated bits of knowledge, behavior, activities, into new (for the learner) patterned wholes" (Cambourne). The thought process behind this definition is that the learner is actively involved in the learning process. The learner is constructing their view of the world and constructing ideas. They are interacting with materials, directing processes, making connections, identifying patterns and organizing materials. All of the learning is linked to existing knowledge. The learner is not passive, they are not receiving pre-digested or organized materials. The definition does not focus on what is to being learned but on how the learning occurs.
As a “learner†and in order for instructors to facilitate student learning several things need to occur. This starts with an assessment of the students, where the instructor builds rapport with the students. In other words the instructor “gets to know’ the students. Following this assessment the instructor is in a better position to plan learning opportunities that will provide a fit with the student’s needs and interests and thus optimize student learning opportunities. A part of this process is to determine student learning outcomes. The instructor determines these outcomes as a result of the interplay between what is contained in the course documentation, the instructor’s personal theories about teaching and learning and the assessment of student needs. Once the learning outcomes have been determined a plan and or outline of individual lessons can be established. Next, the plan must be implemented. This will include the classroom management and the teaching strategies that will cater for the varied learning styles of the students. It will also include the emotional climate of the classroom and the quality of the interactions between the students and the teacher. Lastly is the evaluation process where there will be an assessment of the learning that has taken place and this will inform future instruction.
To sum up my wordy explanation, it is imperative for the instructor to be a “learnerâ€. We must get to know and understand our students , build a lesson plan that caters their needs and wants, followed by implementation and an evaluation. Winston Churchill once said “I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taughtâ€â€¦â€¦.our students are no different, we have to cater to them and we do this by learning from ourselves.
Antoinette, it is sometimes hard to deal apprehension when returning to school after a long or short period of time being out of it. Your approach is a great one.
Michele Deck
If you are a learner, you get excited about learning and that translates well to the students. If you are having a good time and enjoy the subject matter, this attitude is addicting to the students, and will hopefullycarryonver
When my students first start my course they are apprehensive and scared. I keep encouraging them to stay on course and keep coming to class. I love when I'm teaching a concept and all of sudden "it clicks" and the students get so excited. They look back and realize how their attitudes were when they started and laugh!
Margarita, activities that include recaps can increase the retention of course material.
Michele Deck
I would want to be a learner in my class because I use different methods to engage my students. I use slides for them to hear, see, and touch (write notes) the material. I also change it up with presentations and games. Even as I teach I attempt to ask the students questions in between as a recap and to make sure they are still with me.
