Hi Lynn:
Good reflection and post, Lynn.
I think that if we are always honest and genuine with students, they'll sense that honesty, regardless of the topic, and probably, gain more respect for the teacher as a result. Sincerity helps create a learning environment that bulids trust and students appreciative of the teachers efforts. We should be a mirror immage of ourselves (not someone else). Faking it is a poor teaching strategy.
Regards, Barry
One of the philosophies by which I live and teach is "You cannot give away what you do not have." I have found that students know if you are confident and truthful with them about your knowledge versus pretending to have confidence and knowing what you teach. I cannot be honest and open with my students if I do not know who I am to begin with. My students have thanked me for being up front with them when I don't know something or am weak in an area rather than trying to make something up.
Hi Lisa:
Weaker areas will always exist to some degree. To me, the key to erasing their significance is first, understanding they exist, and two, a willingness to seek improvement. For some either or both can very difficult and result in no change.
Regards, Barry
Hi Lisa:
True, the students effot plays the biggest part. I also agree that that as teachers, we can create a learning environment and experience that improves the ability of the student to learn.
Regards, Barry
Everyone has areas of opportunity but as we stress on our students so must we stress on ourselves- take ownership and improve the weaknesses
Students need to have the desire to learn and as instructors we must sometimes accept that a students failure to pass the class truly was not a reflection on us.
Hi Susan:
Yeah, I think we all have some areas we could probably work on. But we should let these known areas weaken our position of control in areas we are strong.
I believe if an individual really wants to work on improvements, they have to really want to first. Then, they have to be committed to making those changes. Otherwise, change, or improvement is not going to occur on it's own. We need to "birth it" into being if we want it to be alive in us (excuse the birthing analogy).
Regards, Barry
It allows the instructor to know their strengths and their weeknesses. This allows the instructors to play up their strengths and work on their weeknesses.
Hi Lisa:
The line between our self perception and the "reality" of how we project is often blurred. Take the knowledgeable teacher who really knows his stuff, but feels he's a poor public speaker and so becomes timid whenever he has to talk about a subject so familiar to him.
I think we all have weaker areas that could be improved on. All I can say about that is we should strive to both identify where we could improve, and set about working to make those weaker areas stronger.
Regards, Barry
Hi Ron:
Most of us we're hired because we had demonstrated some expert knowledge and an ability to convey that to students. Yes, we all have areas we can improve on, and understanding those weaker areas can assist students by being aware of them.
Working on improving them is also a priority for teachers if they plan on staying in education for some time.
Regards, Barry
Just as in any career, it is important to understand yourself before you can "convince" anyone else to follow. A job can be had by anyone but making a lasting impression is key and you have to know you better than anyone else to present yourself to your audience.
If you do not understand yourself how can you expect your students to learn from you.
Hi Julie:
Good thoughts, Julie.
I think we basically all have the better traits that make for good instructors or we wouldn't last long in the delivery of education business. Weaker areas are always present, but I believe their probably not as magnified to others as much as they are to the individual. Yet, I can argue that many times a teacher will possess or demonstrate undesirable traits that really need help, and the instructor is completely unaware.
I believe correction comes in two parts. One is identifying the areas that need or require improvement. The second is the sincere willingness of the instructor to want to make the improvement, and carry it through to fruition.
Really, neither is an easy task. That's why I think it requires a genuine commitment to oneself, and to the students they're assigned to instruct.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cara
What strategies do you use to learn more about yourself?
I find that by reading about different teaching and learning theories - I can relate myself to several different styles - and can then focus on what I need to become a more rounded instructor.
Regards,
Julie
Hi Barry and class,
In order to understand others, you must first understand yourself. It is very important to be able to understand your students - different personalities, different learning styles, etc. In order to do so, I must first understand myself - my strengths and weaknesses as an instructor and work on improving these weaknesses... more importantly by emphasizing my strengths can at times overshadow my weaknesses.
Understand that there are different learning styles and different teaching techniques that will enable you to reach out to all your students. Learn how to be the situational instructor ...an adaptable one.....an instructor that reaches out to all students to help them have a positive learning experience. To do this, you must know and understand yourself.
Regards,
Hi Cara:
All of us involved in teaching can better relate to our students as we approach a better understanding of ourselves. We have blind spots that usually require help in identifying, and then a willingness to change. Both can be difficult tasks, depending.
Peer reviews, callroom observations, self-analysis and self assessment, student crituiques, supervisory comments and observations, even trusted friends who we know will give us honest feed back are methods to identify trends that reflect on areas that may need improvement.
The harder part is addressing the areas needing improvement. I believe that unless one sincerely wants to make improvements, little will change unless there's a drive to do so, and a willingness to make it happen. True change can only come from deep indide each one for it to be meaningful and permanent.
Regards, Barry
I feel once I know myself I can better know how to teach my students and how I can improve myself
Hi Mike:
As the designated subject matter expert, we need to be confident in our abilities, and sometimes, have the courage to go forward even if we may feel not totally like an expert. But the student doesn't have to know that.
With preparation, we can be enthusiastic, dynamic, and deliberate in our delivery. Sure, there may be weaker traits or attributes that needs improvement, but that doesn't have to interfere with our ability to successfuly lead the class - unless we allow it.
Regards, Barry
Hi Joseph:
I think it's true that as we become more familiar with ourselves as individuals, that increases confidence, and is conveyed to students as competence and knowledgeable.
We become more accepting of opposing viewpoints, and more tolerant of unacceptable or marginal behavior. Overall, we model professionalism and are more open to giving and receiving courtesy and respect to our students.
It's really a lifelong jorurney with improved student outcomes as a work-in-progress destination.
Regards, Barry
As the classroom leader, the instructor needs to know their strengths and weaknesses...that way they can play to their strengths and use that skillset/knowledge to the students' advantage, and also work on fortifying those areas about which they feel less confident. The instuctor must believe their role as the leader is an important one, because you are there for the sole purpose of teaching your students the things they need to know to be successful in their chosen field.
