My challenge is to convert my professional education and experience into "bricks-and-mortar" hand's on skills for the students of a career college; that is, to bring the textbook to life. I try to accomplish this by developing individual and group tasks to simulate actual career acttivities.
Try multiple methods and see which methods the students respond to best. Also keep in mind that every student responds differently to different styles.
I agree. My classes are always evolving. What excites one group of students may not excite another. When I first began teaching I relied heavily on course feedback to help develop my material. I created my own evaluation sheet that was tailored to my classes so I was able to solicit information from students.
I have heard of the benefits of audio in classes, but have never actually used it. I would like to explore how to use it and implement it. I look forward to hearing positive feedback about it!
I teach design and drawing classes. When I first started, I followed the course outline to a "T". I didn't want to mess up since I'd never taught before. As class progressed it was exciting to see the students learning and knowing I'd helped facilitate it. At the end of the term I'd ask the students what projects that we'd worked on that they'd liked, what they didn't like, how I could improve the class structure, what projects made them think/work the most, etc. Each time I would modify assignments accordingly and I see the improvement in the work returned to me. The course evaluation is also a good tool.
As an instructor in both residential and online settings, I am always looking for tools, skills and resources that help me reach students with different learning styles like visual learners, auditory learners or tactile learners.
When I first started teaching, I was really good at presenting information for visual learners. This is the way I learn so how can it be wrong? :) What I noticed was that some students really excelled where others did not. As I expanded into online instruction and online course development, I realized that teaching everything towards one learning style was only going to be effective for 1/3 of my students (you get the idea). So I began to develop or search for resources that I could use to complement my current teaching style. I began to record lectures or found some publishers provide MP3 over course materials. I looked for ways to engage tactile learners though in class assignments related to material just covered. In online courses, I created short video clips on key topics or found narrated PowerPoint slides to replicate a residential lecture. Finally, I started observing how my colleagues presented material and, where applicable, assimilated that into my own classroom and instructional style.
I believe that I can employ Case Study Lecture Techniques and Interactive Lectureto to further develop and enhance my instructional style. Also, I learn that practising lecture will help me communicate with the students and be assertive during lecture. These are some of the techniques that I believe will help me in the during lecture.
I know that I can step outside of the traditional lecture and incorporate more interactive learning.
I would enchance my instructional style by provinding classroom instruction through supplemental computer-based learning studies (CD-ROMs, Internet-based training, etc.).
The 3 rules of buying a house are: neighborhood, neighborhood, and neighborhood.
The 3 rules of investing are: diversify, diversify, and diversify.
The 3 rules of teaching are: variety, variety, and variety
Specifically, I teach pre-algebra and computer. The computer class is easy - We chat, I demo, I bring some real document from work and ask others to also. For assignments, it is projects, projects, and projects, many of which are open-ended. Some they demo, some print, some email. It's easy. For math, it is a little more structured with so much to cover and so little time and such a variety of ages and experiences. I give mini-lectures, write a lot on the board, ask questions, not just facts, but "What is this good for?", "Is this reasonable?", etc. We talk about some "story problems". They do LOTS of problems. Once in a while we get out of out chairs to measure something or look out the window to observe something related to math. Mostly it is writing examples on the board.
I like the idea of a pretest to help refine your focus and identify your students. Also, I agree that student evaluations are an excellent way to assess your style.
As an instructor I can become a role model to my students. To do this, I need to make sure that I am organized, am prompt, and professional. I believe that being organized helps boost my confidence and the students are able to pick up on this. I also must be open minded and have the ability to adapt to the situation that is given to me while in the classroom. For example, if a student is struggling and I can see this, I may just give the class a couple more examples to make sure that EVERYONE understands the topic.
One useful technique is to continue to search online for additional learning activities that will dovetail with my style and content. I have found the in-service meetings to be especially helpful as well. I also talk regularly with the other instructors at my school asking how they do certain things so that I may learn and expand my toolbox. I also find inspiration in reflecting on what works and what doesn't, then a new idea will come forward to try. Often, just listening to the students and their questions jogs an idea out.
I believe that I already employ a number of techniques. I use a variety of methods, including lecture, deomonstration, case scenarios, role-play, and problem solving activities to keep my students motivated and engaged in class. I feel that by varying my activities, I also provide written, oral, visual, and tactile learning experiences.
Debra Berglund
I think several techniques can be used to develop, refine and enhance instructional styles including discussing styles with other instructors to find what works and doesn't work for them. This can also help to ensure that what you are presenting is current and relative. In addition, it is imperative to research and study using continuing education and curiculum development tools. One of the best ways to develop additional skills is to be reflective and know yourself and refine your style based on your personality.
After every quarter of teaching, I am constantly reevaluating what I just accomplished with my students. My students take a pre and post test in my class. I am able to tell based on those results which areas I may need to spend more time on to ensure understanding for my next group. So, with those results, I can "tweak" my lesson plans. I also look to student evaluations to learn about how students feel about what I am currently doing and to also find out what they like to see in class.
I am interested in spending more time on professional development in the areas of teaching. Prior to teaching online, I have spent a number of years teaching in the live classroom. These two forums are different, but I confess that it is tempting to do the same thing in the online classroom that I have always done in the live classroom.
I teach business writing, communication, finance and I find that many students have a defeatest attitude about these subjects. Having many years in business and manufacturing, I have many instances of very real applications when these skills are required of everyone. I try to use these to offset the lack of interest or confidence in students, and get them to buy into the need to develop these skills. Often, they then relate similar instances where in fact they did show some mastery of the material. It always seems to work, and then they are motivated to learn more.
I find that I have to adapt my style to each individual class and institution. I teach at three different schools and all vary in subject, type of school, location, and other demographics.
By getting to know my students in the first two class sessions, I am better able to adapt the material and class time to help them learn.
I look to other instructors who teach the class for ideas on what they are doing to make their class successful. It is helpful to see what works and adapt it to meet the objectives. It is always important to look at the class each quarter to see what is working and what lessons or assignments could be adapted. Looking at the industry is also important. As things constantly change it is necessary to keep updated on trends to ensure studens are learning what is current.
