to be able to use ones strengths and not the weaknesses while attempting to teach the subject.
Hi Gilbert:
You've stated a simple but basic truth.
Hopefully, as instructors, we all should be willing to expose ourselves in order to learn about areas that may need improvement. Those instructors that are unwilling will not really perform optimally, and perhaps more critically, their students will suffer as the result.
Regrads, Barry
It is important to understand oneself as an instructional leader to improve on ones strong points and learn to recognise the weak areas.
In mastering and subsequently reducing the personal shortcomings, can ultimately lead to the desired levels for professionalism.
Hi Jennie:
Yes, I think you've hit on an important trait applicable to people in general, not the least of whom are students.
A related thought to getting students to remember your message is to personalize it. By bringing the students own personal experiences into the discussion they are much more likely to recall the lesson points and apply them in their vocation.
Regards, Barry
Dr. Verado:
Yes, adapting to situations based on an understanding of one's strengths and uniqueness’s can be quite useful in providing full and comprehensive service to our students.
What I’ve found is too many individuals are unwilling to be open to having their good and bad exposed, let alone using that information in an instructional manner to assist their students. I believe a key to getting someone to open up to themselves requires a degree of confidence in who they are, and a willingness to be humble in accepting less than wonderful insights they might discover.
Regards, Barry
Understanding oneself allows focus not only on styles, strengths and weaknesses, but allows for a degree of "modification" of personal behaviors.
If you are aware of the kind of instructional leader you are, you are not only able to use your strengths to neutralize (at least somewhat) your weaknesses, but I would compare the results to the old adage that you should dress and act so that no one remembers what you wore or did, but they remember what you had to say. If you are ignoring your weaknesses, you run the risk of having students remember what you "wore" instead of the information you had to share with them.
Hi Doug:
Nice comment. Students are good indicators of "eyes in the back of our heads". If we're honest with ourselves, getting a good grasp of how we are perceived (whether we like it or not) will contribute to becoming a better instructor.
Regards, Barry
You must know who you are first so you have an understanding of how your students see you.
I agree with you when you state that online teaching is different from face to face in the classroom. And will be a new instructing experience but a step with current technology. I believe is an accessable and vital method for many whereby this method would be the best option depending on the individual student's situation.
Hi Mustafijur:
Your role as instructor will involve many facets that will be needed for effectiveness with your students. This comes by experimenting sometimes.
One key is to think like the student: What would I want to knoew? How would I want someone to explain this to me, etc.
Knowing what you have to offer students will be beneficial to both yourself and the students.
Regards, Barry
Hi Ivette:
Yes, flexibility can be a helpful measure when guaging the dynamics of a different student cohort.
I agree there many instructional strategies from which to choose. The key is knowing which ones and when to choose them. It all ties back to the learning objectives.
Regards, Barry
Understanding of students as a new online instructor looks like specefic format that i have to follow. I hope it will be o.k in near future.
As an instructional leader, the instructor sets the tone in the classroom. The dynamics of each group of student are always different, therefore, it is the responsibility of the instructor to engage these differences. Just as there are many instructional methodologies, the instructors should select and apply those most appropriate for the group of students.
As an instructional leader, it is very important that the instructor set the tone in the classroom. The dynamic of each group of students are very different, therefore the lesson plan must be flexible. Just as there are many types of instructional methodologies, the instructor should be able to select those appropriate for the group of students.
Hi Ian:
Yes, having an understanding about yourself is important. Your comment about weaknesses is important, too.
If an instructor is overly conscious about a deficiency of some sort, believe me, students will pick up on that.
Just as significant is when there may be a deficiency present and the instructor is not aware of it. That's bound to impact the student learning as well.
Willingness to build on strengths and openness to acknowledge and improve weaker areas really takes a commitment by the faculty member.
Regards, Barry
its important so you can play to your strengths and better understand and work on your weakness
Hi Gloria:
You've made a good assessment of the benefits of knowing yourself as an instructional leader. I strongly feel we all do at least an average or good job as instructors. But we can always do better. Therefore, the more information we learn about ourselves and how we can help our students, the better the student outcomes will be.
Regards, Barry
Having an understanding of myself will reflect in my delivery, my responses, my expectations ,etc. of the students. I believe it also makes the student feel more confident in their learning experience if the instructor has a knowledge of who he/she is.
Vonia:
Good points, all.
Do you think it's reasonable for an instructor to adapt their personal teaching style to more closely match a students individual learning style in order to achieve optimal student performance?
Regards, Barry
