As hard as I am on my students...we do have laughter and have fun...at times when it's appropriate.
You have to be yourself and not try to be something that you aren't. Students will respect you and you will feel more comfortable in the classroom. Show them who you really are! Humor is the best!
Hi Walter:
Very true. As instructors, we are passionate about what we teach, and can impart that enthusiasm to the student group. That enthusiasm may be the one thing that helps the student achieve their educational goals.
Regards, Barry
Hi Kristin:
Knowing your personality can help the instructor identify what they are passionate about, which can directly translate with enthusiasm to the students.
Regards, Barry
Not just in education, but almost 30 yrs. of retail management I have been called the drill instructor. I am no nonsense and believe that while in the classroom I do have rules, even on the points that must be met in research papers. With all of that said, we still have fun because we are hands-on and involved in serious issues that are life and death, we need to cut-up sometimes. My students know, well, most of the time, when it's appropriate and when it isn't. I get very good evaluations from the students, and they are nameless evaluations and that tells me I am still on track.
Hi Tammy:
Personality is a tricky thing - we have to balance the passion for a subject that we may want to convey to the students with watching how much emotional interests we have for something as well.
Too much emotion can serve to distract from the topic.
Regards, Barry
Hi Mark:
You're so correct - as human beings, we often become a little more animated or passionate about personal things that have happened to us.
That enthusiasm directly transfers to the student, which may help renew interest in the overall topic.
Regards, Barry
An instructor's personality plays a significant role in the delivery methods they choose for their courses. They are most likely to use teaching methods that use their own learning style. Also if the instructor is more director style, they will be more task focused and a supportive style will be more student focused.
It is important to know your own style as well as have some idea of your students' personality styles so you can adapt your teaching methods accordingly.
I believe that your personality type is critical to selecting the best way to present the material. For example, if you uncomfortable speaking in front of large groups - a classical accounting trait - then lecturing from behind a podium might be the most comfortable way for you to get the material across. I personally am outgoing, comfortable in front of groups, so I mix my delivery up with lectures from behind a podium, walking around and talking, asking questions, exercises etc.. all in a loose and comfortable setting. I feel that if I am do not appear 'stressed out', then the students will be more relaxed and focused on the material.
Hi Michael:
Students definitely pick up on topics a lot better when the instructor is passionate about it.
Perhaps something instructors can do for themselves is look at what they find passionate to better impart that enthusiasm to their students.
Regards, Barry
Hi Maria:
Having passion for a topic and enthusiasm is great, as long as that is balanced with keeping emotional interests aside.
Too much passion can possibly distract the student from the topic.
Regards, Barry
Hi Marcia:
It's a careful balance isn't it? Between having passion for the topic, yet not letting in too much emotional interests, which can serve to distract the student from the topic.
Regards, Barry
Hi Jose:
Passion is a great way to enthusiastically impart information.
Instructors should also remember to try to keep emotional interests out of the class which may end up distracting the student from learning.
Regards, Barry
Hi Marcia:
True, personality is an important factor, especially if the instructor is passionate about the topic.
Keep in mind the negative end of that extreme - it's equally important to keep emotional interests out of the class as they can serve to distract the student from the learning too.
Regards, Barry
Hi Catherine:
Being a positive role model is a strong influencing agent in the learning environment. It's important to keep emotional interests out of this environment, as that can serve as a distraction to the student if it were to come through.
Regards, Barry
Hi Gregory:
What you say is true. Keeping emtional interests out of the classroom is important. Being too "anything" one way or the other may serve to distract the student from the point you're making.
Regards, Barry
Hi Scott,
Right! By putting aside emotional interests and focusing on the learning itself fosters the best learning environment possible.
Most will probably agree this is not always the easiest thing to do!
Regards,
Barry
Absolutely, there is always room for personal improvement. If there is a particular teaching technique that you are unsure of or uncomfortable with that will help the students then you need to learn and practice that technique. Being able to bring more to the table will make you a better instructor which in turn, creates better students who are more prepared for the work force.
I couldn"t agree with you more. If you have the attitude that you really don't want to be there and just want to "get through this" that will most definately have a negative impact on the students' behaviors and attitudes. Before you know it, they won't want to be there either!
I feel that if you show enthusiasm on the subject matter it gets the students excited about what they are learning as well.
