I think it's especially important to understand your own personality and teaching style as an instructor. Everything that you do as an instructor is being internalized by your audience (students). As you go through material, your stance, gestures, storytelling, and even tone of voice are constantly being evaluated.
Some of the best instructors I've had were truly passionate about what they were teaching, and it showed through their body language, enthusiasm and life experiences they would share with the class.
Understanding your own likes/dislikes, personality traits and teaching style can only make you a better instructor as you become aware of the areas identified as a "weakness".
It is important to understand yourself so you are aware of your strengths and weaknesses. If you understand where you stand on these, you should be able to formulate classes to not be effected by them.
Hi Sonny:
There are probably hundreds of both proprietary and internet-based assessments one can seek out. Many of these have a particular focus or spin, less so a general "this is who you are".
In reality, knowing ourselves can't really be determined by a test, at least with too much accruacy, because the subject of the test is performing the test!
Anything you find (and there might be something useful out there for you) will be effective only to the degree you're willing to be honest with yourself and work on improving defined weaker areas. Many people can do this on their own.
But, you can also ask trusted (teacher) friends, peers, supervisors, to do observations and assessments. Because they see you regularly, they have a better grasp and therefore, more accurate information to comment on and share.
Regards, Barry
Hi Erika:
Good reflection.
I think the benefit of understanding ourselves is it helps us become better teachers through improved effectiveness, more productive, more creative, and more tolerant and patient with students. Our skills and abilties are increased, and our willingness to experiment with new ideas is broadened.
Ultimately our students are the benefactors of our self awareness and focus as individuals.
Regards, Barry
Hi Jean:
Good point. I think awareness, focus, and understanding are lifetime evnets with no end point. So however I can take note of what makes me better, I want to do that activity. The students benefit, and I grow with more understanding, focus, and self awareness.
Regards, Barry
Hi James:
Really true. As we strech and improve, our ability to be more effective and productive also increases.
Regards, Barry
Hi Diana:
Good thoughts.
Self awareness and understanding is not finite and really is a lifelong pursuit. Better teachers will be willing to constantly improve.
But as improvement occurs, we become more sensitive and tuned in to our students. Really, they make us better people and teachers if we learn from the dynmaic approach of day-to day dealing with multiple personalities, learning styles, diversities, motivations, needs, and creativity, to name but a few. I've improved in being honest and sincere, more my natural self. I've learned tolerance and patience, attriibutes not naturally abundant for me.
I'm a better person because of my understanding, and the experiences that have brought me to it.
Regards, Barry
Hector:
Wow, knowing who we are, how we respond and react, what drives us and what drives us crazy - these are so important, and individuals that have attained a degree of comprehension is in a good place, especially as a teacher.
I say a degree because truely, this is a lifelong experience where improvement can always occur and we can be better at what we do if we are willing to be open to the teachings and challenges relating to students needs and diversity.
Reagrds, Barry
Hi Gary:
Experience is certainly a good teacher. If we are willing and open, our experiences can contribute to better instructional methods and approaches to our classes, our students, and teaching abilities.
Doing something repeatedly that fails to reach students is not helpful. Some methods that can improve our effectiveness may include feedback, peer review, classroom observations, instructional guideleines, college policy and procedure, and most importantly, communication.
When these and other techniques are applied in a well written course that has solid student learning outcomes and course objectives, the communication and feedback elements begin to illuminate where an instructor is strong and where weaker areas may exist.
I think a big key is a teacher being willing to open up and be honest with themselves as stated in the first paragraph. The more honest, the more improvement can occur. Then, more honesty, and more improvement, and so on. It's not an exact science.
Knowing our strengths and weaknesses is an invaluable asset.
Reagrds, Barry
We can see that students learn best when a variety of the senses are utilized. Auditory, visual, tactile, etc. are all ways a student can learn. However, they learn best when a variety (or combination) of senses are utilized.
In leadership, we teach several different styles (Directing, Coaching, Supporting, etc.)and again, we find it is best when a "situational" leadership style is utilized. In fact, the more styles you can use comfortably, the abler you will be to apply an appropriate style to a given situation.
It should be no surprise then that there are a variety of delivery styles (Peacemaker, Drill Sgt., Zen-style, etc.)that can be utilized when teaching. It is a matter of finding the most appropriate style for a particular student or situation. The more "styles" you have available to you for effective use, the more effective you can be as an instructor.
Knowing what styles are available to you, which you are strong in (and can use now), and which you are weak in (and need work or practice in) can only be done if you have a thorough understanding of yourself as an instructional leader.
When you understand yourself and how you would like to be taught then you understand your students. The first thing you have to do is put your self in there seat.How would you like some one to teach you how would like them to respond these are things that you are looking for to be able to understand your self as an instructor.This means if your students can understand you then you can understand yourself.
Hi Jean:
My understanding of myself includes my abilites to deliver material, handle questions, prepare, natural vs teacher persona, leadership and class management, recognizing my learning styles and those of students.
All of these are merged together when relating and communicating with my class. I try to be honest and sincere, accurate and realistic, provide a relaxed and cxalm environment, and maintain control over the class while giving the student the freedom express opposing viewpoits.
What's good is being able to channel all of this seamlessly in into a sequenced learning session. The more I understand myself and my limitations, I am better able to conduct class with enthusiasm, passion, while keeping it interesting and enjoyable.
Regards, Barry
Is there more tests to understand yourself? I heard there are many websites that does this, can you list top 5?
Hi Lisa:
I think wehn we understand ourselves we are better able to effectively teach our classes competently and confidently. These attributes convey a strong teacher who has command of the class and the material.
Students really want to be led. Some seem to exhibit an independence - that's okay, because they still need direction and we can guide and facilitate students in the right direction.
Regards, Barry
Hi Carl:
Hey, binder clips, or whatever works. If it get the job done, that the point.
It's probably natural to gravitate towards our stronger suits and avoid areas we feel may be weaker areas. The limiting factor if this is true is that the tendency to avoid trying newer techniques, technology, or methods will be limited. Also, the same media choices will tend be used repeatedly.
Trying new methods or delivery approaches may be unfamiliar ground, but that makes us better teachers and promotes growth. For instance, what if you never used a binder clip before...look at what you'd be missing!
Regards, Barry
When you learn your strengths and weaknesses, you can focus your teaching style for more effective learning. I tend to not mind chaos, but I know that is not a good classroom management practice. So I spend at least 10-15 minutes before class organizing my presentation notes, activities, and handouts. Binder clips rule!
Carl
so that yu can better understand your students and the interactions that take place between you and them.
It is important to have an understanding of myself in order to broaden my abilities as an instructor. If I have an area of weakness, then I can focus on working on that area by practice or research. Also, by knowing my strengths, I am able to utilize those within the classroom. For instance, I know that I tend to do a good job in facilitating classroom discussions and encouraging students to look at ideas from different perspectives. I have noticed quite a few students coming to realizations through their own reflections after being posed with probing questions.
Self evaluation is done constantly- sometimes after teaching every class- I try to evaluate how the students responded to the material and the activities to see if I need to change it for next time- also end of term evaluations are very telling about how you did.
To understand oneself as an instructor enables one to increase skill set. An Instructor should frequently take a self analysis of the teaching style to ensure that the method used is always refreshing, exciting and motivating for the student.
