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I listen to the students and try to figure out where they are coming from. Additionally, I observe other teachers while teaching students as well as collaborate with other professionals to see what they are doing that I am not.

I am an online instructor so the things I need for my students have to be employed in the virtual environment. I would like to be more educated in voice over powerpoint techniques. I feel that my true teaching style can come through virtually this way.

The most eye opening experience for me was to video tape my demonstration and lecture. I realized my style and was able to make adjustments where I felt they were necessary. This helped me develop and refine my communication skills and my delivery. I was able to focus on how I was heard, how I was being perceived and how well my students were responding to my teaching. Such a simple tool, but it helps.

I find that trying to keep 30 students wanting to recive the info I am teaching can be a challange. For most students I have found that if I can get excited about what I am teaching they tend to listen more.

I rely heavily on student feedback. They let me know what style works best for them. It changes from course to course and student to student, so it's constantly changing.

One of the major techniques for which I have learned to develop in order to teach in class is appropriately using nonverbal communication. Being the wide variety of students I have learned, and still learning, to cope with. I carefully evaluate my tone of voice, posture,body movements. Throught the years I have learned which are more acceptable than others and have allowed me to connect to my audience more and more.

I find asking students to recap or explain the subject to either myself or even better yet to other students while I listen shows me whether I may have delivered the information in a satisfactory way or not. Using this as a tool to 'feel out' which method works best for what student can be hit or miss at times, but it gives me an idea of what parts the students retain or what subjects I may need to change my delivery. It also engages the students in the review process.

I can observe other instructors teach.

I find that peer learning is a great way that I conduct my classes.I can encourage the students that are a little itimadated by involving them in the learning outcomes that the class are trying to complete. It seems to work as I get positive feedback.

One mistake I have viewed in my years in the education field is when instructors do not consider learning and familiarizing themselves with their students course after course. They create a standard syllabus and never stray, often times resulting in difficulties for their students as they may not learn best with that type of teaching style, or the way in which the course is designed, etc. While I am not implying that an entire course should be rewritten or structured differently every time it is offered, getting to know your students to ensure your instructional style works well for the majority will only help them to succeed. This is a strategy and technique I employ every term and it appears to have worked really well thus far.

Dr. Amy Laptad

Hello,

I think that it is important to make students feel comfortable in class. Setting the tone therefore essential for fostering a learning environment. I have read several articles regarding learning styles and techniques and the most recent article I have read stated one simple step for to foster a welcoming environment. Basically, by just greeting your students as they enter the class makes them feel welcome.

This technique also allows students to open up to the instructor as well.

As an English Composition teacher I struggle with making the material I cover of interest to certain students who come in with an attitude that they have never been good at English and never will be. I try to make things fun by incorporating games (MadLibs) and videos (Schoolhouse Rock), which are generally well received, but occasionally criticized as being too "elementary school". I am always trying to read the mood of each particular group to see how they will respond to certain activities.

I have been teaching, mostly on campus, for over 12 years so I believe I have a well developed instructional style. Now I find myself teaching on-line where the setting is so different my instructional style has been thrown for a loop. I go in to a class created and set up by someone else and follow their instructional style. This has actually been very helpful because it has allowed me to get my feet wet. But now that I am somewhat experienced, I want to put my own imprint on my class. I want to be more interactive and engaging. Some of this I can do on my own but some will require approval. I look forward to growing with this new medium.

I believe I can further enhance my instructional style by making sure I employ all learning techniques within my lesson...whether it be auditory, tactile, or visual..Using all three ways will give all of my students a foot-up on their learning experience because no learning style will be left behind.

I feel that my instructional style continues to evolve as I gain new instructional skills and refine those that encompass my foundational approach to teaching. The techniques that I currently employ to further develop, refine, and enhance my instructional style include being up-to-date on current teaching methods by reading a lot of different information- I'm always interested in tips and suggestions to engage students in the online environment. I also feel that keeping in contact with fellow online instructors helps in development as it's always nice to bounce ideas and different strategies off one another. And finally, engaging in other professional development activities on a regular basis is essential in keeping pulse on what's going on in the online learning environment as it is constantly changing.

Instructional styles, while unique to the individual, need to be both broad enough to effectively communicate to people with a variety of learning styles, and also flexible enough to respond and adapt when effectiveness appears to suffer. To develop these characteristics, I would first seek feedback from students and colleagues about how they percieve my style, then develop a plan to intentionally implement and practice techniques to broaden my appeal become more flexible. This process can be iterated as necessary.

I think that I will develop a stronger first day class introduction. I will establish a document that askes specific questions of the students. These answers will allow me, as the instructor, to better understand and know my students.

I teach online, so my goal is to create an environment that feels as open and as easy to communicate within as a residential environment. I treat my email communications as if they are my most crucial face-to-face (and one-on-on) chats with my students. I begin each email with words of encouragement (as if the student was walking into my classroom prior to class - a common good word and some encouragement). I move quickly into the business (I answer the question at hand, solve the problem, ask for more information). I then ask for more questions and end with a positive comment and an invitation to continue the communication.

I send one email per week to the entire class and invite emails in response. One thing I am considering doing to improve my instructional style is requiring everyone to download our IM software (which they are already supposed to have), and then reach out to them when I see that they are on.

I also agree about some sudents wory to much about their grades instead on focusing about what they learn. I always tell my student it is OK to make mistake, they will learn from it, and they should look at their grades in the only matter of evaluating their knoledge, and do something about it. I always tell my students to keep in mind what is important in their education, that is not how you learn but what you learn.

Yes, I do the same thing and it helps some...
It seems that most of them respond when it comes to grades and tests. I always tell them that grades are not everything and that complementing the book knowledge to real life experience is what will make them good Chefs.

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