Teaching Styles
I try to look back on my training in my career. I think about my past instructors and pick the best methods that I found beneficial to me and utilize them in my teaching style. I also look at instructor styles that I did not like or found boring, and then try not to incoperate those styles into my teaching style.
Santiago,
Yes, if we can create seamless transitions from topic to topic, adding facts and information that a student can use, there will be a natural migration and eagerness to get more, stay aligned with the instructor -- all which will yield better student outcomes.
Barry Westling
Fostering inclusion and student participation will sell the WIIFM all by it self. A little humor and positive re enforcement techniques also help maintain student focus and participation.
Yvonne,
This is good. I find all students are visual learners to some degree so there is always a visual component to daily activities. I'm active at the white board, use my hands to animate my discussions, and actively circulate around the room. I am in effect, a visual presence that command attention and focus on my facilitation.
Barry Westling
I know my teaching styles vary a little with each new group of students I have. I try to find out from the start who is visual, auditory.... so I can meet the needs/learning styles of my students.
Rachael,
Yeah, each class often has it's own dynamics, personality and character. And because of that, we have to be prepared to approach each class as if it was the first time it was offered.
Barry Westling
sometimes i have found what has worked for me many times before just does not work for a particular class and I have had to changed my whole method of delivery, then when i try that again it goes down like a lead balloon, so its all about knowing your class and as the class dynamics change ajusting to suit.
Joyce,
This sounds like it would a fun and interesting class for anyone to sit in. Students like stories, and when there is humor (in appropriate amounts), that makes it more enjoyable too.
Barry Westling
I manage my class and content with an element of humor and real life stories related to subject matter. The students respond very well to my style of teaching and are able to recall information a bit more easily.
Brenda,
Using a family analogy to represent the classroom setting is a good one. As in a family, there is a common thread with differing personalities, needs and desires. Adaptable instructors are able to successfully weave thier instruction into this fabric.
Barry Westling
Absolutely correct. Families are built although they already exist. Common good grounds is what makes successful instructors. I personally have had at the very least students ranging in age 20 up to 45 and each one needs their own identity with a bond for preferences to be successful.
Brenda
Sean,
In a way, classes are like a family, with differences, needs, preferences, and a good instructor will always size up the situation and do what is best for the clan.
Barry Westling
As a general rule, what you said, Richard, works perfectly well for a group setting. You try to find the most effective way to reach the majority of the group. When you move to one on one time, things change up quite a bit and yo must be more adaptable in your teaching style. As Barry mentioned, not everything that makes sense to you will make sense to all your students. But that's why I spoke of the difference between the full group interaction and a more one on one setting. Group- use what you find works best for the majority. Individual- use whatever it takes.
Richard,
This a good method, although it's possible what worked and made sense to you might not connect with your students. But experience is a good teacher. In general, good begets good, and what has been successful in the past is likely to beneficial moving forward.
Barry Westling
