One technique I beleive would be helpful, would be to observe other instructors. I have had many students who will talk very favorably about another instructor - so it would be interesting to see how they deliver the course content in their classrooms.
Another technique I use is to stay currently abreast of changes in my field. I am then able to inform the students of how this particular change affects what we have just learned - I beleive it helps to point out the relevance of what they are learning. Then I try to incorporate it into the class material, sometimes with success and other times not so well. But I keep trying because I beleive strongly that the students need to know what changes are taking place in the work environment, because they will be there very soon themselves.
Bev
My teaching is done solely online. As a psychology instructor, I benefit from students being generally positive and interested in the topics we are discussing. In order to build upon that interest, I continue to seek technological tools, learning objects, case studies and websites which help the students grasp concepts and apply the information.
In addition to resources, I bring in real-world examples, which humanizes the content and makes it more applicalbe to the student. I have found that one challenge is keeping up with the technology changes. This has become a hobby of mine in order to keep me connected to psychology and teaching as well as the students.
Melissa
I think continuing education and professional development is a good start. Courses like this that will enhance my learning and teaching can definitely help me in the classroom.
I also need to get to know my students better. I think a great way of doing that is through the discussion boards. It's a great way to gain insight to your students and their lives. I hope I can increase my communication there.
Open communication is so important in the class room. Too often I think students are afraid to ask questions and they will hold back. It is our job as instructors to help the students feel at ease in our class rooms.
What techniques can you employ to further develop, refine and enhance your instructional style?
I believe that you need to read professional journals in your subject area. When you do this you are able to keep up with the changes in the subject area that you teach. This is very important so that we are always delivering the most recent industry information to our students.
It is also helpful to observe other instructors. We can learn a lot by watching others teach. We may discover new ways of delivering the material. This also helps us to open our minds to other ways of delivering the course content.
Taking continuing education in your subject area is a must. I teach massage therapy and I try to learn one new technique every year.
Excellent points! I agree that we can learn much from observation when developing our style--and often the most from those who perform poorly.
Over the years I have had the opportunity to listen to presenters and instructors(by being a student in their class), co teaching with instructors(observing their delivery of content) and even being a member of an audiance listening to people lecture. During this time I not only gained from the material presented but I also evaluated their delivery as well as the audiance reaction. By molding myself from the excellent presenters and avoiding the poor presenter style I feel I have molded myself to be an interesting speaker for the students. Without a doubt, knowledge of the material and an organized,confident delivery will help the student in understanding the content being delivered.
My instructional style is relatively informal and includes computer-projected demonstrations that (hopefully) are being duplicated by the students at their own work-stations. Effective use of class time requires that students "stop me" if for any reason they are not able to follow the demonstration or duplicate the results. Many students hesitate to interupt the presentation and seek assistance from desk-mates, which sometimes is counterproductive. This hesitation diminishes as students get to know me (and their classmates), but the first one or two class sessions can be frustrating for those who are not comfortable using computers and also are shy about "holding up the class".
So - given this style, which works well in the long run - how to make those first class sessions more efficient for slower learners?
I teach a lot of computer software classes where I do an instructor demonstration and then we do the skill together as a class. I reinforce the material with an assignment so that they can practice the skill again.
I do my best to keep the communication in the class open. Some of my students are very apprehensive with computers, so I try my best to let them know that questions are good and everyone learns at a different pace. I love seeing them when it finally clicks!!
Having worked in the IT field for several years I try to show the students what the real world is about. I explain the subject manner in several differant ways to communicate and teach for retention. I try to use 'real world' examples of why this topic is inportant. I use humor to retain attention. I try to devlop interest through discussions questions.
I tend to use a hands on approach due to having lab classes. I am going to work on getting more seld directed tasks for the students to try to make them problem solve.
I find it particularly gratifying with adult learners. They know why they're here and they want to learn. You are facilitating a process for them rather then forcing something. I also find that we have a real opportunity to "erase some tapes" for these adults who may believe they can't learn in a college environment based on past experiences.
Timothy,
Do you do this globally or do you look for indicators from particular students to determine when they might need encouragement?
I have been an instructor/facilitator for only a few years but I have found it to be fulfilling in ways my primary career isn't. I truly enjoy seeing the lights turn on when students understand something in new ways.
I am primarily an online instructor so most of my personal/professional development surrounds improving my written tone and honing my student understanding (without being able to see them). I take my end of course survey feedback very seriously and I continually dive deeper into the subject matter of the courses I teach. My day job as a business owner gives myriad opportunities to apply curriculum.
I enjoyed school, and I remind myself that not all students feel the same way I do.
I enjoy answering a question with a question with maybe a hint here and there on the way until I watch the light bulb go off in their head. They may not enjoy this process as much, but they soon realize that they know more than they thought they did; they just need to get throught the critical thinking aspect of it.
I also tell my students in every class no matter how many times they have had me that I set very high standards for them because I want them to be exceptional people without being arrogant. When things get too tough, its a thought process of what do we need to do to get there.
I guess overall my teaching style is more of me guiding. I do lecture and give them information they need to know, but I feel that having them go through the struggles and process of really understanding the information is more beneficial and reward than having me simply give them an answer to their question or their problem.
I like to have the students actively involved rather than being lectured to most of the time. Timely use of videos and photograhs and even utube can assist with learning.
In addition it helps the student save face by not bringing up an error in front of the rest of the students
powerpoint presentations , visual aids etc,
I am definately a motivator. However, I know I have to keep working on developing my expertise now that I am not a deputy sheriff anymore. I like the idea of constant reflection. I am able to improve my skills by reflection on what to do and not to do in the classroom but with my peers.
more interctivity lectures plans,apply diferent styles of learnings.
