Self awareness and self-understanding are the foundations upon which many decisions are made. By understanding one's self as an instructional leader you begin the framework within all other decisions will happen.
Although I agree whole-heartedly with the intended outcome [to become a better instructor], I frankly find it difficult to convince myself I can know myself. This is why, I believe, I enjoy other instructor's evaluations of my teaching. I believe I know my substantive material sufficently well, but if others are not "getting it" I consider myself a failed teacher. I find myself much more interested in my audience, so that I can deliver the material well, than I do of self-exploration. Thank you.
I have replied to every one of the three part forums in every module, totalling 12 forum discussion questions.
Do you need me to do another?
_______________________________________________
Nancy Lorenz-Vega
It is important to understand one's self as an instructor to appropriately identify strengths and weaknesses, and to achieve continual improvement as an instructor.
It is also important to understand what our preferred delivery methods are, and how well they do, or do not address all needs of the student body. Realizing that our preferred methods are not always best or most effective provides the instructor the motivation they need to step out of his/her own comfort zone and make changes that improve on overall instructional quality.
Without knowing who you are as an instructor, one could be doing more harm than good. All instructors need evaluations by their peers, supervisors and especially their students. Thinking you are teaching is not teaching without feedback to prove yourself.
Understanding yourself as an instructional leader is important as it enables you to project a bit of yourself in your teaching methods. For instance, relating real-life experiences in lecture material allows the students to get to know you better. I also feel that it will enable you to better handle a wide variety of questions and situations in a class setting.
Without an understanding on ones self it is hardly imaginable that a person can come off to a student body with any considerble ability to teach the subject matter at hand. You have to have an understanding of yourself as well as the subject in order to be able to be an effective commucator, one who is both convincing, as well as confident.
Hi Katina:
Self understanding (awareness) creates the opportunity to "give it a litlle gas" or to "apply the brakes" when needed.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cynthia:
Good point. I am effective when I know how far I can go, or know when to hold back. That keeps me from crossing over and doing more than I should,w hich could dimiish the trust students have in my abilities.
Regards, Barry
Hi Linda:
My self awareness (understandin) allows me to move forward or hold back based on my self perceived strengths and limits. Trying new techniques creates growth (and sometimes errors). But knowing how far I can go sets the threshold for self expression in my delivery.
Regards, Barry
Hi Ian:
For me, knowing how far I can go, or when to hold back, is extremely important. This is self awareness, and although it is only my perception, this is how I see myself.
Getting feedback from peers (classroom observation, trusted teacher frieds, student evaluations) can contribute to improving my weaker areas.
Regards, Barry
It is very important to understand yourself as an instructor. Knowing what your strengths and weaknesses are give you places to grow but also some comfort level as you approach teaching. I guess you can figure out what works for you and why and then use that in your classroom. You can also get a real sense of how people react to you and that can help inform your instruction. I know I also constantly apply the thought process of considering would I like to be a student doing the assignment I am creating, etc. Honestly, the answer usually is yes (especially when I have room to be more creative rather than having to follow other guidelines) and that is a big consideration of mine when I assess what I am creating as an instructor.
Hi Sandra:
Confidence and competence go together and are earmarks of an experienced instructor. Knowing my limits keeps me from treading into waters I don't belong. Knowing those waters is extremely helpful. Working on my perceived weaker areas makes the "better me" benefit my students.
Regards, Barry
Hi Amy:
Self awareness and understanding internalizes our sense of our perception of far can I go, and when I need to hold back. This might be in content knowledge, application, or delivery mechanics.
Better instructors continuously strive to work on achieving higher levels of performance that only benefits students and allows the "better me" to manifest.
Regards, Barry
I think in understanding yourself and your "style" of doing things, it helps you prepare your classroom and your content better. If I was a hands on instructor, reading power points would prove to be very frustrating and boring and that would show to my students. They might misinterpret that to mean I was bored with the class and frustrate them. So in knowing how I am helps me prepare lessons that will showcase my enthusiasm for the class.
It is important that I constantly build on my strengths and work on my weaknesses because students are constantly challenging one's knowledge and authority. By developing professionally, we can build our confidence level and knowledge to best enable one to lead in instruction.
It is important to have an understanding of yourself as an instructional leader because you need to be focused and organized within yourself before you can clearly instruct and effectively lead and communicate with your students.
I believe if I understand my own strengths and weakness I can improve on myself therefore giving my class a better learning enviroment
Self knowledge allows for the instructor to better relay information and understanding of student characteristics. Ignoring weak or ineffective personality traits will prevent the instuctor from adapting their presentation, or the material to accomodate varying student levels of cognition.
The more I understand my strengths and weaknesses, the better equipped I am to lead. I used to think that my extraverted nature was perfect for teaching. While I still think my personality suits teaching, I also understand I have weaknesses (e.g. becoming buddies with students vs. leading them) that demand attention if I am to fulfill my full potential on behalf of my students.
