I like to use a variety of media when teaching. I am the type of instructor who likes to walk around the room, use lots of gestures, and emphasize what I'm teaching by writing on the blackboard, as well as using my PowerPoint presentation.
Hi April:
True, and every instructor has their own version of it - just as every student is unique. Basic traits of being honest and genuine, prepared and caring, and sincere in your delivery will almost always be received well.
Regards, Barry
In my opinion students learn a bit more when they are able to relate to the instructor on a personal level.
I believe that showing the students a side of yourself that coincides with the content assists the students in retaining the information. Not to mention, it helps the student to get to know the instructor a bit more.
I remember when I first started teaching I thought that I had to be "all business". As I became more experienced I realized that students have to be able to connect on a "human" level and that showing interest in them and making small talk goes a long way in building a better relationship in the classroom. This goes a long way in keep students engaged in the classroom material too.
I try to use real life experiances, and humor in my lectures. It holds the intrest of the student and they are also able to recall the information at a later time by giving them a one word clue or gesture, relating back to the initial lecture or discussion.
I try to utilize personal experience in addition to my knowledge to pass information along. Giving the students live scenarious helps them to connect easier and identify with the information.
Hi Gail:
Stories and humor are great. Caution to avoid too much in substitution for solid course content. That said, making a class interesting and enjoyable is more effective than some dry lecture that bores the class.
Regards, Barry
The instructor must use his personality when teaching, he must also use humor.
I have an outgoing personality, so I am comfortable with talking in front of a group. I am also interested in technology and so i use videos and such. Because i have an interest in the media, students respond better.
I find being yourself shows the students you were once in their shoes. I like to bring in personal stories about situations that occurred when I was working in the field and how the situation was handled. I find humor also seems to make drier information easier to comprehend.
I would suggest we tend to do what we believe we are best at; provided it is in our best interest. As such I enjoy powerpoints as a compromise to the preferred lecure behind the dias approach. I am excited about technology but I know little about it. I was very pleased to read the material about how I can improve my powerpoint presentations.
Personality is a key component in how the student will perceive you during your class, course, and then in some cases long after they have graduated. One of the tools in my tool box is humor. Which is a natural trait in my personality. Using humor during instruction keeps the students engaged. But to set the tone I make sure that the 'Inclusionary Dimension' is practiced by me and my students in my class. This helps in student engaging with themselves during lab time or when broken out into groups. They feel they are part of the group/class. Having a positive open personility helps manage the class for those students that might not be understanding the lesson, and it can help defuse those sometimes diruptive student.
instructors, as mentioned earlier, have to be teacher, actor, clown, sage, expert, behavior and professional values coach. They take on a variety of roles in order to deliver material to the students.
I think that humor is a key element in delivering material. Humor relaxes students, and gets their attention. Personal experience in the field also helps to pique interest, as does relevant topics within the program.
The time comes though when the material has to be processed and put into test form. The student must recall and write short essay answers or bubble in that scantron with learned knowledge. How well they remember is most notably seen by the memorable delivery method used by the teacher.
I like to do a two level delivery method. At times, I will throw a small yellow ball, as I make the students answer questions. The combined activity of catching the ball, while answering, creates a lasting image in the students' minds about the class discussion that day, and usually will be recalled well for the test later that week.
How can I create an activity that will be memorable?
I play Jeopardy with my students to review for the midterm and final. It is a fun activity that they always love, and, it cements the knowledge, as they play the game.
I also like to use the Socratic method to explore issues, and bring my students to a higher level of critical thinking and analysis.
The personality of the instructor is key. A leader has charm, or charisma to engage his/her audience of students, and the ball is "in our court" to find new innovative methods to teach and imprint information, whether it is a little yellow ball or another method of imagination.
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Nancy Lorenz-Vega
Concorde Career College
i have found having a positive attitude really helps in delivering classroom and lab instruction.
Hi Mitchell:
Personality like and dislikes shouldn't have too large of a place in effectively teaching a class, but I understand if students don't care for teacher, that can impact their willingness to fully participate.
As in students, teacher personality that creates a energetic environment, engaging students, and making the class interesting and enjoyable is a basic standard all classes should provide.
Added traits such as being honest and sincere, showing care and concern for students, and being tolerant and patient also help.
We all can be enthusiastic, motivativational, and excited about the course topic and it's presentation. Students will respond to this positive energy, even if the personality is not to their liking.
I think we all have our versions of how we deliver our course work. When it's upbeat, engaginging, and informative, students will pay attention and benefit from the instruction.
Regards, Barry
Quite a large one as the course(s) I teach are mostly lecture driven. I do use Power Point as well, but lectue around the slides as opposed to directly at them. This gives the students the ability to more fully understand the context of the information. If they don't like my personality, as is sometimes the case, it can present some very difficult challanges that can have an effect on the entire class. Including the students who do have an appreciation for my personality.
Hi Robert:
Yes, by all means. When the students feel you care, they'll mirror that sentiment, with attention and better performance being the result.
Regards, Barry
Hi Gregory:
You've covered a lot of ground here. I'll comment that we all can "entertain" to some degree, and it's probably helpful and useful, even to the teacher to be "up" during their presentation.
I also think students appreciate the down to earth, natural version of ourselves that is genuine and honest, caring and trusting, patient and tolerant, all the while portraying the lesson with enthusiasm, interest, and passion. These are attractive attributes when listening to articulate and dynamic speakers.
In short, we all have a version of ourselves that can more than adequately deliver successful, effective lessons by just being ourselves.
Regards, Barry
I also believe you need to really take an interest in your students.
