Aneisha,
I think we all tend to teach to our strengths, and knowledge of those strengths helps with self understanding. Topics, practices, media, or resources we are less comfortable with can be identified and improved to the point where what was once was a weaker area can become one of our stronger suits.
Barry Westling
Its important for an instructor to have a thorough understanding of themselves and their teaching techniques in order to realize if there is improvement needed. Its also important because knowing yourself will help you to know what your can and cannot tolerate.
Carol,
I agree. I believe students appreciate instructors who are genuine and authenic, rather than an artificial version of someone else. Being natural also helps make students more comfortable in class, which can promote the feeling their instructor is approachable when asking questions, adapting to their style and delivery, and seeking extra help.
Barry Westling
To know myself is to know what I am capable of. I do my best not to compare myself with the other instructors, to be unique as only I can be. This is also an important quality in students.
Marie,
I have always found that enthusiasm, passion and interest are traits that students will appreciate regardless of the topic. So where there may some topics that are quite in your zone of preference, your energy and attitude can still make a difference, and make the class as memorable as those that you really love.
Barry Westling
I am a relatively new teacher in an area that I've been working in for 20+ years. I've found that my enthusiasm for the material that I teach most often makes what many people would consider a VERY DULL subject come to life for them! I try to tell them at the beginning of the course that they are going to LOVE the subject by the time I'm done with them, and of course they all guffaw! It's fun to win them over as the time goes by. My problem comes in when I've been asked to teach subjects that I'm not as enthusiastic about, and probably not nearly as knowledgeable! I'm trying to figure out how to be as effective an instructor in those courses as I am in my "core" area. I'm hoping that this class will help me with that!
Owena,
Great! I think experience without growth is time wasted. I've viewed many student critiques of classes with the comment "a good instructor and in time will be a great instructor". By being creative, flexible, willing to try different approaches, sitting in on other's classes, and personal continuing education, an instructor becomes dynmaic, current, and perhaps more relatable to their students.
Barry Westling
My understanding of myself has grown with my instructor growth. I am basically the same person, but I have made minor adjustments for instructing purposes; like my humor.
Debbie,
I agree. We sometimes get into our routines and forget that students are watching us, sometimes our every move. And even subtle mannerisms or inflections can be taken different ways, sometimes in ways we would never had intended.
Barry Westling
Knowing your personality will help understand how students are responding to you. Something as simple as being a morning person or not may impact the teaching and learning going on.
Ardiana,
I have to admit my instructor personality and personal, back-side natural self are very different. In role as educator and "commander of the class" I have to try hard to be open, communicate, and take charge when there are behavior needs. But my natural self is very laid back, quiet and pensive, and not wanting attention. I can adapt as needed, and am fully willing to do so.
Barry Westling
I agree because that the first thing we as instructor have to do. Understand who we are and what weakness we have. Some instrutors are very outgoing and do not have any issue speaking in the public as well do not mind to handle any student bad behaviors . Some others have introverded personality where they shy away from any student confrontation. As we take the role as instructor we must change and odopt our personality; since our personality plays a major impact in students learning and retention.
Angela,
This sounds great. I think students respond better to instructors when their name (first or last) is used, it's just more personal. I feel I'm shy, but also an experienced educator and subject expert in my profession. When I'm wearing that hat I can be very dynamic. Inter-personally, I'd prefer to just go shut my door and work in my office.
Barry Westling
Understanding your personality helps you know how to work with your students better. It answers questions like what am I good at and what can I improve?
Coming into teaching I knew that I was a shy person who struggled meeting new people. I have made it a point every time I start a new term to do an ice breaker with my students and try to remember their names by the end of the first week. I have found that this helps me move past my shyness and my students don't even know that it is a struggle. It also helps my students get to know eachother.
James,
Right. We are always interested in our effectiveness as instructors. Personalizing is one very effective way to capture attention and make course work meaningful.
Barry Westling
I believe if you do not have an understanding of who you are, what you beleive and what your strong and weak areas are you will not be able to be effective. I like to think about how would I like to recieve the information, and is that something I can bring to the class. I draw on the classes I enjoyed when I was in college and try to use those ideas in my classes.
Ken,
I think students want and appreciate instructors who convey confidence. It's a fact no one can be a master at all topics. But being assured of the ability to teach, get answers and guide students is a tremendously valuable attribute.
Barry Westling
If I do not know my strengths and weakness in myself and the subject content then the students will not have confidence in me or the course information.
William,
We all ought to use what we know to be our strengths. I've found one style of strength does not work with all students, so I try to be flexible, open, patient, and supportive when dealing with different student personalities, especially those I'm unfamiliar with.
Barry Westling
it is important to know my streangths so i can aply them to my teaching style. i am good person with conversating to new people and use that as a strength when meeting new students.
