I think the more I understand myself the more ability I have to adjust my presentation to different students' learning styles. I sometimes find myself having to change presentation styles two or three times through the course of one lesson. In teaching, my self-understanding seems to serve me as much as my students. It helps me widen the potential angles or perspectives I can point students toward in their learning. Instead of just an on/off teaching switch on the machine, there's all sorts of calibrating adjustments that one can take advantage depending on the situation.
I think you have to know yourself in order to be able to be an effective facilitator. Professors need to understand what their strengths and weaknesses are so that they can continue to strive to improve.
If you understand yourself you can know your strengths and weaknesses and take a real look at how you can grow.
It's important to know who you are as an instructor so you can show case you strengths, and work on your weaknesses. End of class evaluations can be brutal but they re excellent learning tools to guage how we are doing as instructors.
I believe it's important for me to understand myself because my instruction can be more or less effective in different environments. Sometimes I need to tone-down certain characteristics where the same characteristic may be fine in a different setting. I teach in a vocational college and I'm an organizational trainer. I know I can sometimes come-across as intimidating to new students in the vocational college which doesn't create a good learning environment; therefore, I am mindful in the early stages with a new student as to not "scare" them.
It is important for us to have awareness as an instructional leader, because as we are aware of what our strengths and weaknesses are in the industry, we can then convey that in our instructions.
Understanding myself helps me be a better situational leader in the classroom. I can adapt my presentations and presentation style to the students, the topic, the time of day, and all the other factors that create a student centric learning environment.
It's important because if I know who I am and what my strengths and weaknesses are it will make me better able to serve my students and will help me to be teachable and to adapt to classroom situations more readily. It will also help me to persevere and to strive to become more perfected as an Instructional leader.
Hi Jennifer:
Good answer! When we can begin to appreciate something thart makes sense to us individually - such as wanting to know "why" vs "how", we've come a step closer to understanding something that makes better as teachers and as individuals.
That makes us appear more natural and confident and, I think students are more comfortable with teachers who understand themselves in this manner.
Regards, Barry
We always tell students know how you learn...visual, hands on etc. I believe the same is true for teaching. I think how I learn is reflected tons in my teaching. I dont want to know how to do something I want to know why we do it because the how will fall into place.
Hi Laura:
It's only natural that we teach to our strengths. One consequence is that the students will tend to receive the same types of media choices, presentation and delivery formats, and teaching strategies repeated over and over.
One way to exercise working on our weaker areas is to be consistent in these areas: honest and sincere; kind and caring, passionate and ethusiastic, encouraging and supportive, tolerant and patient; and approachable, yet open to opposing viewpoints.
With these attributes practiced on a regular basis, we should begin to expand our range of effectiveness, trying new and creative techniques, and building up some of those weak areas. One thing is the classes will be more relaxed and enjoyable.
Regards, Barry
You need to know what works and what doesn't work. You need to identify the strengths and weaknesses. If you can see what type of leader you are and aren't getting the results you're looking for, you know what areas to improve on or look for an alternative path.
Hi Pandora:
I like your focus on self improvement.
Some teachers believe that because they've been hired to teach that have all the answers and "are in charge". We can all improve. In fact, I would say that self improvement is a lifelong journey and commitement if we want to be good teachers and individuals in our communities.
Regards, Barry
Hi Marivic:
Yes, we are the sum of our life and work experiences, education and training, degrees, skills and abilities, credentials, licenses and certifications. Together, this collection of preparedness to teach culminates in who we are, how we perceive ourselves, and the reality of our readiness to be effective in the classroom.
Assuming we have access to the resources, course material, and training aids needed, I think these basic tenets of common relating are a good foundation for just about any teacher or class. We need to be: honest and sincere, kind and caring, passionate and ethusiastic, supportive and encouraging, tolerant and patient, objective and open to divesity, approachable and dynamic.
Any teacher that can consitently deliver their course content utilzing the bulk of these traits will perform well in the classroom, even if their strengths and weaker areas are still developing (which truely is a lifelong commitment).
Regards, Barry
Hi Stephannie:
You're right, we need balance, objectivity, perspective, and a measured dose of patience and tolerance.
Since we deal with all kinds of students, age and generational differences, learning styles, backgrounds and personalities, it's critical we have a firm grasp of how we view ourselves with emphsais on stronger areas and continuous development of weaker areas. This is a lifelong event with no endpoint. Still, we can be effective in the classroom.
One approach is to try to natural, without copying someone else in the way they conduct classes. Being sincere, confident, and courteous, we can at least begin to reach the majority of our students as these traits seem to cross all lines of diversity.
Regards, Barry
Hi Gary:
I think the sum of all our life experiences, past work experiences (good and not so good), education, training, skills and abilities, certifications, credentials, and licensing have brought us to the point at where we are as an instructional leader. We have a personality and approach that has to be based on what we've encountered or exposed to in the past.
Using these attributes in a productive manner in the classroom requires that we pull together all we have gained and try to form the best learning environment.
One approach that any teacher can use is to commit to be: honest and sincere, passionate and enthusiastic, competent and confident, kind and caring, supporting and encouraging. With these traits displayed on a regular basis, the other requirements for a succesful classroom experience will take care of themselves.
Regards, Barry
Hi Tiffany:
Good point. Part of knowing ourselves is being objective and being able to understand and appreciate another, perhaps even opposing viewpoint. Too often, because we feel we know the material and hvave taught a gazillion times, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that students have a different perspective.
A key to this is to have good student learning outcomes, course objectives, and delvelop daily learning strategies that meet these outcomes and objectives from the perspective of the student who may be just a beginner.
Be able to modulate between different levels depending on where the class performance is is important too. We also have to recognize there may generational differences and a variety of learning styles. Knowing ourselves is important so we can benefit our students in the most effective manner.
Regards, Barry
Hi Christine:
Ooooh...spooky metaphors!
But you're right, teachers wear many hats and above all out to be able to demonstrate and provide leadership skills. That may mean delegation, or facilitation, or, guided direction, or demonstration, or first hand delivery of content and instruction.
I think good teachers can facilitate students to participate and guide them to learn a lot on their own. But there comes a time when someone is in need of specific instruction or direction and good teachers will recogonize that need and step in and offer assistance.
Knowing what we are capable of provides the parent-like sensitivity needed to intervene or when to back off.
Regards, Barry
I have had instructors who were not leaders...they were information sharers which works in some classroom situations, but when it comes to complex curriculum this student needed a leader to help guide me through the strange maze that was the new material. Without that guidance, it was like wading around in a marshland not knowing what crocodiles or snakes waited in the murky waters :)
To understand yourself as an instructor, you have to know yourself. No one is perfect. Rely on your attributes as well as your concerned areas. There are seminars and classes to help you improve in areas of your concern. Understand as an instructor there are other staff to support you.
