Developing Additional Skills
How do you develope "Additional Skills" as an instructor by Knowing Yourself? How about , Reading technical journals.
Hi Joseph,
Talk with other instructors, your advisory committee and people from the field to determine exactly what should be taught. Many career colleges have standard content they want taught for each course, see if that is available. This will give you the content. Then you can focus on the developing your skills as an educator. Pick one thing to focus on such as the lecture and then work to make your lectures of value. Then add handouts, learning groups, etc. and before long you will have a variety of strategies you can use to help you deliver the content. Look to learn each day you meet the class. Ask for feedback from your students. Video your class and review it for ways to improve your delivery. All these things will help you get better while gaining experience.
Gary
what if your field is so large you cant know everything? how do you determan what to expand on and where to start. i have just started and need to know my skill and how to delever this all at the same time.
I thought reading technical journals was an excellent answer to the question, but I suppose knowing yourself would be a more generally legitimate, if not somewhat cryptic answer. Knowing yourself would tend to make you aware of your weak areas and give you the direction needed to improve and strengthen those areas.
Like expressing your intrest is the motivator to developing skills .
That was my point exactly.
You must stay on top of the field you are teaching by reading everything you can about that field.
I agree with your statement Aaron- If we didn't know ourselves, we surely could not be experts in our field. We need to read to remain experts and not fall behind the technology.
Hi Aaron,
There are several ways. The first step is to determine what skills you want to develop. For example you may want to develop your presentation skills. You could attend training on how to be a better presenter, take courses at a local college, take online courses or read textbooks of articles about such. The key point is that you have a plan for what you want to focus on and then do it. It is best if you can set time lines for yourself so you can keep track of your progress.
The other part of professional development is just as you mentioned staying current with your field. The reading of technical journals is an excellent way of doing that.
Gary
Once you know yourself and your skill level you will then know what tecnnical journals you should read.
