The instructor's personality plays a very important role in his/her delivery selection. As the instructor is learning how to teach that individual must look at his/her own strengths and weaknesses and choose how they are going to teach. While in the Army and as a nurse, I found it easier for me to teach, mentor and coach others at the bedside. Showing them the skills and brining in personal experiences to annotate the points. As a classroom instructor I use lecture, powerpoint presentations and discussions to the fullest. I also like to use humor wheneve I can to help ease stress and as an ice breaker. If I was teaching History to Middle School to High School students I would also use the above mentioned but also add movies and guest speakers to the list to help give better examples.
Hopefully, I am not getting off the subject by discussing the above. I believe I can do more with the examples I gave then just straight lecture. This may work for some but not for others. As some comics would say, you have to have a "Stick" to capture the audiance.
I am an experienced public speaker who wants to explore alternative methods of delivery besides my "sage on stage" orientation. I am learning about the net-generation as students who don't want me to answer their questions about allow and enable them to discover new learnings on their own. It involves both using waht I know about communication but I use my training in how humans think and learn in my graduate counseling work.
Hi Sherry,
Personalties really do vary don't they. I think if we try to emulate someone else or act a certain way, we risk being viewed as disingenuous. Given our individual uniquenesses, I think if we are honest, sincere, apprachable, caring, and provide classes that are upbeat and with enthusiasm, just about any personality type is at least going to be met with appreciation by students that their teacher is interested in their success.
Barry Westling
Going back to the day when I was a student, I think the insructors that I remember most, and learned the most from, are the ones that had the type of personality that was organized and structured.. I think if you come across as disorganized and rushed that the students will pick up on that and will also be disorganized in their think and learning will be difficult.
Hi Theresa,
Yes, personality can make or break a class. I feel there are common traits all teachers can demonstrate and regardless of their personality type or delivery style, will contribute to a successful class. These are courtesey, honesty, sincerity, approachable, and caring. When student sense these traits, every variety of personality will be at least tolerable and at best, exceptional, as students realize their teacher is is being genuine and has their learning as their cheif goal.
Barry Westling
Personality plays a major part in delivering our message(s). As a new instructor, I can see where me being layed back students attempt to bend the rules. I can also see where I've been a no non-sense instructor and students disliked my approach. Needless to say that I'm learning to find balance; be myself, but let students know they must follow the rules and respect me as a professional instructor.
Hi Linda,
Teachers with a natural outgoing personality are fortunate since you don't have to work as hard for students to relate to you. So as facilitator, the give and take you mention would be a smoother activity than it would for someone who has to work at being open, honest, approachable.
Barry Westling
I have a very outgoing personality, and try to use that to bring all students into the mix. I enter each new classroom with the attitude that I can learn from my students as much as they can from me, just on different subjects! By making them feel their opinions matter, and are NEVER "stupid", classroom time is more fulfilling to all.
Hi George,
Upbeat and energetic is great. I don't see why you can't project that attitude and do collaborating activities at the same time. Getting students to talk, discuss, engage, interact, work on projects - these seem like they take time away from the teacher wants to share, but in fact, students learn just as much if not more in these settings. Anytime students are partcipating actively, they'll learn more and retain more.
Barry Westling
I feel that my personality plays a role in the delivery. I try to be very upbeat and energetic to keep the students engaged. The days that I am not energetic, students ask me what is wrong with me. I also don't like working in groups in class, so I tend not to do group projects in class, but some of my class lend themselves to group project, so try to do them.
Hi Adam,
I think we all have different styles, some reach out and catch attention while others may be greater barriers in the mind of the teacher than any student would ever observe (unless the teacher called attention to it). I would recommend we focus on what we do well, try the best we can with perceived limitations. Chances are students will never know the difference. Any way, if we are sincere and honest, that will be attractive to students and lead to minimized or perceived barriers.
Barry Westling
I am suited to public speaking but greatly fear public reading. I need to pre-read, surmise and then open for discussion to be effective. Students see that as personality trait but I wonder, is it?
Hi Adam,
I feel strongly we need to be authentic, genuine versions of ourselves. Students may not particularly like us, but they will appreciate our classes if we're genuine, honest and sincere about our duties as facilitators of learning. In this way, however our personality sits with students, they will respect us and the class if we take our classes as seriously as we expect of our students
Barry Westling
Hi Michael,
You've made a good illustration for others to consider following when they are in a similar situation whern confronted with prepared slides. The PPT should only be a guide anyway, not the focus of attention. PPT is a tool, and as facilitators, we need to use that tool, as well as many others to get our students to learn.
Barry Westling
On the down side...you can have a student whom does not "jel" with your personality. Thant does not however mean they can't enjoy the class still or gain knowlege. Nor does it mean you need to be someone else...right?
I teach in a program that has power point presentations made for us. They are by far not the most exciting!!!. I have found that on the days were my lectures last 6 hours on 15 slides and most of the information comes from me moving around the room and performing visual demonstrations as well as involving the students with thought provoking questions are not only my favorite days but they seem to learn the most.
Hi James:
In general, the idea of balance is key when discussing personality. Any extreme can be distracting to the student and prevent optimal learning.
Regards, Barry
Nikki,
Great! I think being my natural self distracts less and allows students to hear my message (rather than focus on the messenger). We all have a natural personality that can be effective in the classroom setting. Students will detect artificial versions if we deviate too much from who the real version of our natural personality. And I think students appreciate it when they feel their teacher is authentic, honest, and sincere in their presentation and affect.
Regards, Barry
By staying true to myself, I can deliver information confidently. I try to incorporate my tricks for understanding a difficult concept so that my students can get a different perspective on the matter. By presenting the info straight on and then comparing my quirky tips, the students seem to grasp the info better. So by me staying true to myself, I am very confident that my students are receiving the information in ways that they can relate to.
Hi Kevin:
Something for all instructors to consider when it comes to our personalities is the idea of "balance", or not having too much of any one type of personality. Not too strict, not too funny, not to professional/square, but a little bit of all of this.
Regards, Barry
