I am a very animated person, and at first my students tend to find me intimidating. However, I use my animation to help them visualize the situations, and as some of these come off as comical, they quickly find I am easy to learn from, and they can remember my examples. My students tell me they can tell I am passionate about Nursing(my field) and teaching!
James,
Interesting, most of my faculty question why I keep a overhead projector around. For so many years, and way before PPT, we had slides and overheads. Overhead allows for quick preparation and is effective for certain types of discussion. And although PPT could probably substitute satisfactorily, the point is the variety and engagement is different, and that's a good thing.
Barry Westling
I tend to get excited and prepare well for my classes. The use of multiple types of media and props changes up the atmosphere and level of excitement in the room. I have used slide projectors and overheads when a powerpoint was not working. Most of the students had never seen either, which I was able to make work, with great results. Let your personality come out and try and don't be afraid to try something different.
Maryl,
Keeping things as simple as possible is always a better way to for students to remember important concepts. Simple experiments can also create a similar outcome.
Barry Westling
My personality comes through to the students, as I connect with them. I learned their names on day one. With each slide or two on the Power Point, I have a story or real life example from many years of work experiences to share. Students say that it is easy to understand concepts with good examples that help them remember key points.
Judy,
Boy, instructor attitude is soooo important and really can make the difference between students feeling comfortable to approach their instructor, ask questions, and get help if needed. If we do all we can, that should include an inviting class setting that encourages participation, openness, and good student/instructor rapport.
Barry Westling
I am a positive, encouraging and motivating instructor. I believe having a positive attitude is a great quality to have when teaching. Students are not intimidated and dont hesitate to ask questions. Having a positive environment in my experience has allowed students to engage in classroom activities and therefore increasing their learning.
Joseph,
Sounds like a good formula, based on your perceived strengths and personality. That's great!
Barry Westling
I am a very outgoing person and the students feel that they can come to and not feel intimidated. I tell quick stories every clas that relates to the material. This being the case, I try to keep my power points structured, concise and to the point. My personality fills in the space between the lines and its more rounded for all different types of learning.
Mark,
Great! Sincerity and displaying a genuine version of ourselves is always better than some artificial version of someone else. I agree, students appreciate honesty.
Barry Westling
I like Carolyn's comments. I truly enjoy when I am with my students and I think they sense that sincerity. My true personality is that I am a bit of a control freak. I have learned (sometimes the hard way)that I can try to be prepared and organized but also be able to just be honest with my students. "I don't know" isn't so bad when followed up with "Let's find out together."
James,
Yes, humor can be a nice neutralizer and contribute to a more relaxed learning environment. Related to this is interesting or unusual stories. Students like stories, and their retention of course material is often improved when they can associate information pertinent to their studies when it is accompanied by a humorous or extraordinary situation, circumstance, or occurence from the workplace.
Barry Westling
I try to use humor in my classroom presentations to relax the students and draw them back to the lecture if I notice a waning of attention. I usually begin the class with a little humor and use it periodically when I see restlessness or inattentiveness. This seems to work well for most students. I always appriciated this technique as a student myself.
Tim,
If all instructors could keep that "WIIFM" perspective all the time for every class, it is very likely students would leave each day feeling they've taken another step closer to finishing the class successfully, and likely have made progress towards desired employment, which translates to better things for the student and their family.
Barry Westling
I feel your personality plays a big role in how you teach. If you are distance and soft spoken then the students might not feel that you care about what you are teaching them. I'm more out going and I try to motivate the students during a leacture making them feel that what i'm teaching them is important to them. I try and give them "The What Is In It For Me".
Adam,
Right on! I think think that connection is soooo important...it can make the difference between an honest openess by students toiwards their instructor or a automated turnoff as soon as they enter the classroom.
Barry Westling
I utilize a variety of delivery methods and try to use a blend of my personality traits when delivering material (humorous, witty, intelligent). I think that is the best way to make a connection with your students and keep them engaged.
George,
Great! I think whenever we can provide our instruction, delivery, and interaction in a more positive fashion, the students is going to be more open to receiving that kind of feedback. It also helps build trust and respect.
Barry Westling
As a welder instructor, I have to be able to enter a booth with confidence,the skill set and a mentality that would be acceptable to a student. I'm not trying to get the student to like me necessarily but to get him,her to understand the importance of what my delivery is and make them feel comfortable with me at the same time. I try to make him,her feel good about what they are acomplishing and show the positive side vise pointing out more of the negative elements. I use a grading system that deducts points from 100 per cent like " you have 12 points of improvement rather than an 88 percentile. It appears to the student is doing better that way.
Holly,
Great! I think all instructors have "story-telling" and "engagement" aspects in our instructor persona, for some, one type is perhaps a bit more dominant. The important point is recognizing how we are and how we are perceived, and using that for the benefit of our students.
Barry Westling
