You need to punctuate your delivery with lively comments. You can use humor, be over expressive to make your point sometimes.
Hi Kate:
In a way, the instructor is a tool, and the tool should never be the focus, rather the purpose the tool provides. For stories, I think these should relate to the course content, related work settings, or program tests or professional certifications. Otherwise, as you've implied, they waste the students time.
But in all of it, when courses are given by teachers who espouse a sense of energy, excitement, enthusiam and passion, portraying the course content in a positive manner, students will naturally want to participate, and it will be easier for teachers to engage their students in this type of learning environment. Even playing the "Devil's advocate" can be interesting and enjoyable when delivered in a lively and engaging setting.
Regards, Barry
Regards, Barry
Your personality should shine through --- use of personal stories and work experience is great to a point. There were instructors I remember as a student who loved to talk about themselves and gave up the opportunity to discuss important key elements.
Excitement and passion of the topic comes through if the instructor is sincere. This excitement becomes contagious in the classroom.
I think if you have to present material you disagree with or find less than helpful --- be honest with student and let them know why it is included in the curriculum. Why it is in their best interest to learn this material. Put the ball in their court? Sometimes, I will play the devils advocate --- and see if I can have the students "sell me on a chapter."
Hi Edward:
I like being in a class where the teacher appears very relaxed, natural in speech and tone, approachable and caring, and knowledgeable in their delivery. Everyone will have their special way of portraying these attributes, but I see these same commments year after year regarding what students consider "the good teachers". We are all capable of achieving a similar environment for learning.
Regards, Barry
I think you need to be yourself when in the classroom. Trying to fake who you are gives off a negative image to the class. I find that I am more relaxed and so is my class if I act like myself
Hi Alyson:
You're right - every student is unique and it's terrific when we can customize or treat each with the needs thats best helps or assist them achieve successfulness in our class. Just like our own kids, each one requires just a little bit of unique attention.
Regards, Barry
Hi Alyson:
Boy, general interaction among your students with a drive to empathize. I can't believe students would not benefit being in the awesome environment. Good post - thanks for sharing
Regards, Barry
i agree with you- but still need to pay attention to the responses from students. I dint beleive in a one size fits all style of teaching.
Hi Nancy:
I think we all use what know works best, based on what we know about ourselves. There's always room to improve in specific areas, but if a teacher is comforatble with who they are, that sense of ease and delivery style will just naturally come across, which should help students relax more while in class.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cheyney:
Seasoning a lesson with a touch of humor is like adding seasoning to a meal. A little bit adds flavor and compliments the meal. Too much can spoil it and leave a bad memory. Without it, something seems missing. So, humor is like the seasoning in a meal.
Regards, Barry
Personality is key....humor helps a ton and general interaction with students is a must. So being empathetic is important and not being caught up in your own world. Being an intructor is a mix of many things not least a showman.
It is important for the Instructor to know himself/herself when deciding on how to deliver class material. If an Instructor is naturally introverted, or is unsure of remembering all the material, they may wish to utilize power point demonstrations, in order to refresh their memories. If an instructor is extroverted, they may inject humor and engage students in lively discussions. No matter the personality, it's always good to challenge yourself in order to grow, so selecting other areas outside of your comfort zone will stretch your skills.
I am very aware of my sense of humor. I usually remember each new block of classes the day when I decide to use it. If I don't have the attention of everyone a joke will help me to see who is listening and who is not. If they are tired, laughing always helps, if they are frustrated...laughing always helps. I must remember to temper the brevity with a follow-up on the content being discussed.
Hi Christine:
I agree that students will be much more responsive to teachers that are upbeat, enthusiastic, spirited, caring and approachable, willing to do all they can for thier students success. Students will notice and be appreciative (even if they never voice a comment). Most of us have some version of these attritubes within us - maybe some just need to be refined somewhat.
Regards, Barry
Hi Gary:
Boy, I agree. Students like stories, and tend to associate needed information with "storied" remebrances. The important caveat is to not stray from the targeted lesson objectives by spending too much time with all stories in substitution for needed or essential lesson material.
Regards, Barry
If you're not comfortable in your delivery selection, neither will your students be interested.
If you put a personal experience story in when talking about something that is very important, this will really get their attention and make sure they retain the info.
Hi Rachel:
I like your summary that an instructor's personality has to be whatever it has to be to teach the required material. Interesting teachers make the class more enjoyable, whether that be by a little humor or sharing stories related to the profession. I think students like stories and they're likey to remember something needed if it's associated with a part of a story that was told.
Regards, Barry
The personality of an instructor should vary so as to stimulate the attention of students, however you do not want to be an instructor who is always strict and talks down to the students. Adding humor into your lectures helps to assist the students into remembering some key points of their knowledge. An Instructor should also remember to learn from students as students learn from instructors.
Hi Maureen:
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Get used to having your students present more of the basic information - you can always add to it.
2. Bring in guest speakers.
3. Have a student share what they have experienced or hope to experience in the workforce. From that platform, you can embelish, share your own experience, and/or or instill heartfelt lessons you've learned. Students love stories.
4. If you have access to the web in class, have the students search their profession and have each (or a group) share what they are most excited about.
5. Related to number 4, if you have a library, send the students to do some research, then return for brief presentations.
6. More instructional; stop and ask a student to summarize what you've just been talking about. You can also ask others to chime in to add. That leaves the door open for you to fill in any gaps.
Hopefully these are some ideas that might be useful. There are probably hundreds more. If you think of yourself as a facilitator as much as a teacher, you can get very creative in using, involving, engaging, and expecting participation for students to be accountable for their learning.
Regards, Barry
