Hi David:
I agree we can all be an outstanding version of ouselves. Your version and my version of motivation or enthusiasm may differ, but it's nthe trait that makes the difference, not so much the specfic way the teacher goes about it.
I think when students sense their teacher is being honest and sincere, are genuine in their delivery, and teach their material well with passion, enthusiasm, and patience, they will get a positive response from their students, and from that, better student outcomes.
Regards, Barry
Hi Frank:
You're right, it is a combination of both content and style. And the thing is, we all have our unique style to bring. My version of enthusiasm may be diiferent than yours, but we both bring that to the classroom.
Being approachable, friendly, showing concern, being helpful, these traits any teacher can provide in their own style and in doing so, make the class better. More patience, tolerance of opposing positions, and being honest and genuine with students are some of the more effective traits, but often are more difficult to exhibit because we're all so busy, time is limited, and slower students can seem like a bother. But hey, that's why we choose to teach!
Regards, Barry
Personality does play a large part in creating “buy-in†from students from an instructor, but I also think it is very important for instructors to have both content and style. Content being the information or skills that needs to acquired, retained, and implemented by the students and then the style coming from the personality and passion of the instructor.
The role of personality is key in good instruction. So many times, young or new instructors try to mold their personality into what they think an "instructor" should be. Instead, they can find their own style based on their own valuable life experiences. Our students want and need to hear from their professional experiences. When tied to instruction, it will become memorable for the student.
Hi Louis:
Often, students will emulate their instructors, especially when they feel they've learned much from them. Therefore, an enthusiastic teacher who brings passion and interest about a topic into the discussion, and relates it to the students where they become excited about learning, that personality will create better student outcomes in my opinion.
Regards, Barry
Personality is everything and it is delivered through your energy, excitement and your enthusiasm for the material you teach. Hopefully you were passionate about the career you have had, and hopefully you still are, you need to be… you are now teaching the next generation for that same career. Your delivery of your subject will reflect your love for the career material you are teaching and is demonstrated in your teaching skills through your animation of the subject and by (as others have stated) emphasis - the tone, the pitch, the expression in your presentation. All this reinforced by positive, constructive career examples (stories) will reflect in a positive personality and presentation.
Hi Kevin:
I agree that excitement, anticipation, enthusiasm are all dymamic learning environments, and they're contagious too. When the teacher presents an environments that's very upbeat and lively, that catches on, and I think students would prefer sitting in a class where that is the norm, and because of it, they contribute to that "upward flow" of interest, attention, and participation.
I don't think this has to an artificial thing either. All of us have the capacity to be ourselves while displaying genuine honesty, care and compassion, and natural in our delivery, especially if that tends to be upbeat. I'll tell you, we should be very excited our students have chosent ot take our classes, and there's no reason not to give some happiness and good vibes back to our students.
Regards, Barry
An instructor's personality is a very important item when it comes to energizing students about the course material. I have always loved being in front of people. Before and during my university education and teaching career I played in a number of rock bands and managed political campaigns. Every day/night before I enter the class I say (to myself) "It's show time!"
When you are excited about the material this excitement will spread... at first across perhaps a quarter of the class... and it will keep spreading if you continually remind yourself that it's "show time". All of us will recall witnessing a speaker or singer who just doesn't seem to be "into it" or (what's worse) "out of it." You simply cannot allow yourself to have a bad performance.If, as the module suggests, approximately 80% of sensory input is what students see you have to show them you know your stuff and know how to deliver it with your own special touch. Every textbook, regardless of the publisher, presents similar material to be consumed -- it's your personality that will make what really matters memorable.
Hi Nicole:
Sometimes I think about the difference in behavior vs. personality. We are all unique, and that diversity makes for a better variety of teaching styles and learning experiences for our students.
We can probably modify our personality to some degree to fit a spoecific teaching activity if needed. But I think, in general, if we are natural, genuine, and honest, we will portray the best in us, and students will appreciate the patience and tolerance that emerges from that, and also respect us for the skillful knowledge we henerously provide our students, delivered in our own spoecial way.
Regards, Barry
As an instructor, we try and teach our students to be professional and maintain a good attitude and personality on the job. We need to set the same examples as well.
Hi Gina:
A great foundation is to first understand ourselves as individuals, then be natural in who we are in our delivery. Yes, we can be enthusiastic, upbeat, and keep the class interesting, but I don't think we need to force something artificial, because usually, students are percetive about their instructors.
If they sense you are genuine and sincere, they'll pay attention and give you respect. Something artificial will diminish their trust and may impact how serious they take the teacher.
Regards, Barry
Hi Mary:
Great! I think there can never be enough general courtesy, friendliness, and general encouragement and support regardless how the students are performing. This reflects and conveys a sense the teacher cares about the students success.
We may be able to adjust our personality somewhat to match different instructional requirements or roles (lab skills vs. lecture vs discussion vs.demonstration), but we can always be kind and patient, and students will appreciate that in any instructor.
Regards, Barry
Regards, Barry
Personality plays a huge role in delivery. It lets the students know when you're enthusiastic - and they become enthused, when you're serious - they pay close attention. The goal is to make the class fun and interesting for each type of student and by using different aspects of your personality you draw in your students.
Personality is a major role in engaging students in the classroom. A smile, sincere words of encourgement and positive attitude keep the students engaged, positive and looking forward to attending class.
Hi Alexander:
Exactly! Great personalities lead to great instructional delivery. Smooth, seamless, flowing - these traits help keep the class moving along. Also, being natural conveys the teacher is comfortable and suggests competency with the material. Trying too hard to exaggerate something we're not normally probably won't go over very well, and come across as forced.
Regards, Barry
Personality is the key for a succesful delivery. I try to keep a friendly up beat personality. I think this makes the student feel more @ ease and makes learnig the content not so stressful.
Hi Ron:
Fit in - right. I have sometimes used the term "relate" or "connect" when describing the way we interact with our students.
Whatever the term, without a connection to them, there will less likelihood of students reciprocating in showing interest, paying attention, completing assignments, and ultimately benefiting fully from the class.
We all have a personality that, perhaps can be modified a little bit to fit different situations. But I also think that by being consistent in certain ways, we can relate to almost any group of students. These traits include being approachable and friendly, supportive while showing respect and courtesy, and willing to offer suggestions and assistance with or with being requested - these demonstrate care - care for the student's successfulness and that will always be a delivery style that's appreciated.
Regards, Barry
You have to convey information to the class, but the final goal of education is to impart knowledge, and that is more than just information. Where the information "fits in" to the world that the students are living in, and to the world that the students want to move toward, is a critical part of keeping a classroom awake and moving onward through the content of a course. If you don't understand how you (as the instructor) "fit in" with the information that you are presenting, and how you "fit in" with the people to whom you are presnting it, then it will be hard for you to help your students convert that information into knowledge.
Hi Thomas:
Delivery is important and having an effective delivery style is essential. I think certain topics may require us to adjust how our prestaion is delievered, and I think being natural, genuine, and honest will always be an appropriate deliverty method. This tends to come off as smooth, with a air of authority and competency.
There is something to be said about the importance of consistency, and students can become uncomfortable if too many versions of their teacher appear.
Regrads, Barry
Being true to myself is the best rule to remember as I choose delivery methods. If I am serious and wanting to cover an essential part of the material, it is probably best to use basic serious methods with repetition and application opportunities. If I am feeling light-hearted and the material is cursory, a fun-based method will work just fine.
