You need to learn what your weak points are so that you can improve on them and then continue to look for new ones.
Michael,
I think maturity is a great attribute to continuously seek. It's not about age but appropriate relating to students, such as with fairness, patience, and humility.
Barry Westling
if an instructor doesn't understand himself, it's doubtful students will understand him either..the ability to combine practical field experience with presenting the technical side, in my opinion, depends on the instructor understanding what students expect
if you don't understand yourself, you'll probably have a hard time understanding students....what will it take to get through to students?, the ability to combine experience in the field with presenting technical information that students can relate to is made easier, in my opinion, to understanding yourself
Don,
Good points. It's unfortunate that some students feel the need to prey on observed or perceived weaker areas. I suppose they feel that'll give them some sort of edge. But I remind new instructors I train that "you are the professional, the one with the superior knowledge, experience and insight into the work setting". Along with that is the sentiment that they are there for their students, it's not about them (other than to be in control of their class).
Barry Westling
From the first day of class, students are always trying to figure out your weak points and /or your strong points as an instructor and as a person. When you are not comfortable in your own skin and are trying to portray someone that you are not, students will pick up on this right away. They will see your lack of confidence in yourself and they will lose all confidence in you as their instructor. Some students may even prey on your week points to try to throw you off of your game. Always stay true and be yourself. This will build trust with the students and make the class so much more enjoyable. Just always continue to improve on your teaching skills and never stop learning.
Kathy,
You've touched on an important area. One great attribute an instructor can possess and project is that of being approachable. When students feel they can ask questions freely (and repeat the same question again if they don't understand), or ask for help, or seek and receive advice, or freely communicate, the open channel to reaching students has been improved. No one is ever at 100% of approachability, but it's worthwhile to commit to improvement, if we see value in doing so.
Barry Westling
Knowing my faults, makes me aware of them. I know that at times I seem a bit stern. Being aware of that I watch for negative responses from my students. If they seem to be stand offish, I think of my personality and try to communicate with a less firm tone the next time I communicate and see if there is a change in their reaction. Knowing my faults make me aware and makes me work for improvement on them.
Stephen,
Yeah, we all have a self perception of ourselves, and good instructors have a good understanding of where their strengths lie. I maintain that we never really reach an end point, and even seasoned instructors can be in a constant learning mode.
Barry Westling
It can be easier to get where you are going if you know where you are coming from. If you have an undertanding of yourself as an instructional leader than you have a baseline to work from in continuing to become a better instructor for each class.
Timothy,
Students nearly always appreciate sincerity. Each one of us has our unique personalities that manifests in it's own way. Being approachable, patient, tolerant, and kind, students will respond favorably.
Barry Westling
I think understanding your personality type can be very beneficial. For example I tend to be introverted so I have to break outside of my normal tendencies in order to teach, but this benefits me, not only from a teaching prospective, but also in a professional career perspective as well.
Pauletta,
I know students appreciate instructors who are original, genuine versions of themselves, rather than an artificial version of someone else. And even as students may see imperfections, that's better than a facade that masks our true selves.
Barry Westling
A quote from William Shakespeare sums it up, "To thine ownself be true". I must not only know my strengths and weaknesses as an instructional leader, but I must embrace who I am in order to utilize my strengths as an instructional leader and improve upon my weaknesses as an instructional leader.
Ali,
Great self appraisal! Regarding mistakes, it's not so much their occurence, but whether we learn from them to make us better at what we do.
Barry Westling
I think not only is it a good idea to know yourself as an instructor, but it is also useful for the class. I think back to when I was in college and compared different instructors to one another. In this module it talks a lot about different teaching technique, however it also discusses that even instructors are humans and make mistakes. I am a newer instructor so of course I will make mistakes. But the thing that I know about myself is that I can laugh it off. I may be a great technician (speaking directly to my field of study) however I am still human and I nothing is perfect.
Donna,
Very true. We need to be concerned with how we can be a tool to help students get from point A to point B. Getting students on the same page as the instructor can be both a challenge and a triumph.
Barry Westling
It is essential that you tailor your teaching style to "fit" your students. It does not matter how good you think you are or how much you prepare for your class, if your students aren't getting anything out of it, you need to make changes.
Sherry,
Yes, we create ourselves, and also have the sole power to make changes. If we're honest with ourselves, the results of any changes will be evident to our students.
Barry Westling
I am always viewing myself as a Instructor sometimes I view to much. I feel you have to be able to understand how to express yourself and career at 100% if your not learning from you are your students learning from you? That's what I ask myself always.
