Hi Carol,
Good plan for offering variety to your students. This is the key to keeping them engaged. Changing the pace and format for content delivery and then having them make application of the concepts will help to keep them engaged.
Gary
For instructional style I use a variety of methods to ensure that I meet all styles of learning. Depending on course content, I often use a short 10-15 minute lecture; then I get students involved in short activities that reflect the principles discussed. Finally, I break students into either teams of 2 or groups of 3 to continue with problem-solving activities.
Hi Evens,
This will give a realistic picture of who you are and how you are going to relate to your students.
Gary
the techniques for the instructional style are .know your past,know your subject and know yourself
i think it is a good idea to tell the students at times about the success related examples, along with course, which may motivate them , when they are looking at you as a model.and also its important to know our past, college and subject, with which we can improve our instructional quality and style.
Hi Nolan,
Good plan for professional development. Seeking advice is always a good way to find improvement.
Gary
Hi Tina,
You can develop your questioning skills by looking at a topic or subject from several different ways and then write down some questions of discovery. I have found that by using case studies I can bring out more questions of depth and challenge for my students. After doing several case studies you will start to see what questions are the most effective to use. I write these questions down so I can use them the next time I teach the course. Also, the Socratic method works well in group settings. By presenting 3-4 students a common question they can mull it over, discuss it and then come to solutions to be shared with the entire class.
Another lead in to questioning is to pull up some life experience you know about a student and incorporate it into a question. "Jane, I know that you have had extensive experience working as an EMT and have faced many different situations all based upon trauma, based upon these experiences how did you respond to (then ask your question)".
Gary
Hi Jim,
I understand completely. In your brief response you have done an excellent job of getting your message across. The professional development classes I assume are for all students as they get ready to put themselves on the market. In your experience what have you found to be the most effective way for individuals to "separate themselves from the herd"? How and what can they do to get a second look from employers and HR people?
Thanks.
Gary
Hi Richard,
Yes, by draw or random numbering. I don't let them pick their partner or group since I want to mix them up and have them work with the different members of the class.
Gary
I am a librarian, and I usually have numerous sessions in the classroom each term where I am teaching library/information literacy skills. During this time, the instructor must be present. After these sessions, I often times will seek out the advice of these instructors as to how I could improve my sessions. I find that the best way to improve is to take their advice and use it to refine future sessions.
Hi Beatrice,
You have a clear picture of your instructional style, you know who you are and what you need to do as a professional. To me this is a complete picture. As you mention their are always things to can do to add variety to your classes. The fact that you get good evaluations gives evidence to the fact you are getting through to your students. They respect you and you them. My only advice is to pick some activities you want to try and incorporate into your classes for fun and to keep you from getting bored with teaching the same content over and over again.
Gary
Gary,
To further develop, refine, and enhance my instructional style I can do many things:
1. Sit in on other classes to observe other teacing styles.
2. Attend educational conferences to continue my learning as a teacher.
3. Network with other instructors to get tips on developing and refining my instructional style.
4. LIFE-LONG LEARNING: continue to learn new educational techniques.
-Jay Moore
I would like to further my socratic questioning skills. Working as an elementary teacher before has made me sensitive to how to not embarrass people, but how can I bring in better questioning skills to adults? I want to give more response time, and not assume they have the same knowledge as I.
The professional development classes are in resume writing,portfolios,efolios,interviewing techniques, and the job hunt. You will find that I will not do any long responses because I Have 2 numb fingers. The pointer and middle fingers of my right hand. typing is painful.
Gary, that's interesting. Maybe having students pair up for tests or quizzes. I'm going to give it a try. Pairs selected by draw I assume?
Richard
I would say that my instructional style is one that I feel comfortable with. I try hard to leave all my other daily trials and tribulations at the door of the school and when I enter the building, I am now 100% focused on school, my students, and enchancing their education. My goal is to help them. I try hard to work with them, give them extra opportunities to make up missed work, etc. but I do let them know that I am still "in charge" and my goal is to teach them so that they can reach their career goals in a timely manner.
Ultimately, it is their responsibility to get the work done!
I know my past and working in an education atmosphere my entire working career, I feel that I can and do relate to students of all ages well. I know about good and bad instructors. I know my subject and I know my students fairly well. I know my colleagues in my area of expertise and yes, I do know myself. I feel comfortable in front of a class and consider myself to be a solid instructor.
As far as ways I can enhance my instructional style would be to learn more about my school and the curriculum requirements of the programs. Students often complain about certain classes not being offered and while I have a vague idea of what they are talking about, details are missing.
I suppose I could also jump around the room a little more and be a little more dynamic in my lectures but that is not me. When I am evaluated by my colleagues, I always receive high marks in all areas. As far as improvement--more dynamic lectures. Since one of the classes I teach is Medical Terminology, I find myself limited in how I can "spice up" that lecture!!! The other classes I teach are Healthcare, Law, and Ethics and those lectures are definitely dynamic.
Hi Jim,
Based upon your area of Computer Networking I'm not exactly clear what you are teaching in the area of professional development. If you could share some additional information about the professional development classes I will be glad to exchange information with you.
Gary
Hi Dr. Siegel,
Well said. You make a number of very good points concerning the ability of students to analyze situations and problem solve. We need to offer learning opportunities in which our students can see application, relevancy and and transferability of what they are learning. They can connect the dots in the real world if they have acquired these types of skill sets.
Gary
Hi Christopher,
Sounds like a great way to slowly get your students settled in and ready for their presentations. The will be able to "ride that bike" (give a high quality speech) because they have had the chance to practice, practice, practice.
Gary
I teach computer technology so much of my time is spent on lectures, power points, demonstration and hands-on labs. I have a hard time with on line because my right hand index and middle fingers are always numb.
