Keeping up-to-date with the current software that I am using to teach my courses. When setting up a course, I always put myself in the shoes of the students as if I was going to be taking the course.
I constantly go over the material and take notes after many of my classes. As a result of this my classes are never "the same old thing". This also provides a fresh delivery so I don't get bored.
I avoid the same old...same old approach and aim to add something new to my quips...my presentations...my more formatted weekly announcements to keep me interested in the incredible challenge my students are undertaking. I don't ever want to be one of those instructors who has lost their passion for their subject matter. At the university that was what sparked my interests as a student and why I seemed to instantly admire those who came to class happy to be and not frustrated knowing the same questions would be asked this semester as the last semester...the same mistakes made, etc.
For that reason, I look forward to training opportunities like this one. New insights...new technology...new guidance from more experienced peers all work to enhance my impact as an instructor.
I am also a firm believer in conferences...round able discussions...faculty meetings...and faculty research as further ways to stay on top of pedagogy trends.
We all tend to play to our strengths as teachers, which is fine and natural, but I believe that we need to delve into instructional styles with which we are not comfortable, for two reasons: It adds more arrows to our quiver, and we are modeling a behavior we wish our students to adopt, namely taking some risks to become more effective at what we do.
Keep it fresh and relate it to real time. Keep the class involved.
I can also re-inforced the fact that learning takes place better outside the classroom meaning in the clinical setting where they can apply what they have learned in the classroom. Clinical setting is the place where they can deal with the actual patient and procedures.
I can probably assigned students in groups to present certain topics that they have learned that day like for example - the steps to follow when administering medication thru Gastrostomy tube.
Anyway to get feedback from the students that will indicate how well they are retaining the material such as, reviews and refering back to covered material when going over a subject.
This is a good way to know how affective your teaching style is.
i am a fairly new instructor so i know i still have a lot to learn but i love teaching and it comes through in the classroom. If i love what i do it will show and the student will pick up on it and they will love what they do.
Ms. Kim
Good Afternoon Dr. Meers,
As individuals, we develop different preferences for learning and teaching. These preferences are influenced by our education and experience. I believe it is important to have a mentor or role model that we can immulate but think we are most apt to selecrt a role model that we can closely identify with rather than one that can provide learning in an area that is most needed. A critical self-assessment seems key to identifying the areas that require focused attention in our professional development. Is there a standard template for self assessment as an instructor?
Teaching is relatively new to me so I find that shadowing other instructors that have been teaching for a while is very helpful. Watching their delivery of the subject matter makes me re-evaluate my own style.
First impressions are very important and it is essential to come across as a scholarly individual who will help students reach their career goals. Dressing and acting professional in my opinion are some of the easiest and best methods to have a positive first impression. In an academic setting humor helps students feel more comfortable and may build a lasting trust or bond with the class. As instructors, we need to understand the students perspectives and deliver the information to meet their needs.
I like to start a first class off….and every class for that matter……with a huge smile and saying the words “Welcome it is good to see all of you today.” Depending on time, I try to incorporate a short ice breaker activity during the first class, which requires students to describe one or two pieces of information they learned about each other.
How would I introduce standards students should use for evaluating the veracity of information?
I would begin by passing around copies of a newspaper, news magazine, monthlies like Harpers and Atlantic, reference book, subject-specific book, brochure for persuasion (like campaign literature). Ideally, they would cover the same general subject. We'd grade each publication for "trust-worthiness."
Next, we'd identify the online equivalentto these printed media by searching the Web for the subject we discussed above. We'd grade some of the sites for reliability.
Finally, we'd search one of the full-text online, subscription databases available to us. Lead the class to derive a set a criteria to evaluate any information source.
As you can see, the emphasis is guided discovery based on real-world examples with little direct lecturing.
I think one of the best way to enhance my instructional style is to understand what the students need. It is important to know my students and the needs they will have in the course. A successful instructional style can only be successful if the students are a success and this begins with understanding the students.
Shelly Baker
I like to think naturally I am a great instructor. As previous people have mentioned it begins with passion for teaching.
I really like the idea of a "research log"! Thank you for the tip!
Having students write a "research log" on how they conduct their research can also be a good part of a research paper or research assignment.
I also try to give specific examples on research. For example, if students are researching a particular database, I try to give students a few suggested key terms that they could use or have a class discussion on what key terms would be good.
Yes, observing techiniques from other instructors is a good way to refine and enhance my instructional style. I look not just at other instructors but also presentations during conferences and continuing education courses.
I also find student evuluations helpful. Reading student evaluations sometimes gives me idea on ways that I can reach out to other students or develop my instructional style to different learners.
It is reassuring to hear this! As a new instructor, I had assigned a research paper in a pathology class, which students dreaded. In reality, I know from experience as a student myself, that my students will not retain most of the information presented in class, or necessarily from the paper they turn in. In almost every class period I repeated that the point of the class and the paper was to get them comfortable locating valid information from good resources. This way, when students become professionals in their field, some "fear of the unknown" can be overcome by knowing how to educate themselves through research.
It was very helpful when our librarian came into the classroom to show students what is available to them through our library system. It also helped me, as the instructor, to know the type of resources it was reasonable to expect to see cited in the research papers. I am very glad that the librarian makes a point to show all students what is available! All departments working together for the success of students is a wonderful thing to see!
I try to utilize and develop a variety of different techniques. I teach and develop online courses so I have been worknig on developing more PowerPoints lectures with images for visual learners and more audio lectures for auditory learners. I also try to motivate by students. I think an important part of being a good instructor is to provide good feedback on assignments including positive and constructive feedback. I would like to continue developing my instructional style to reach out to students who have different backgrounds and life experiences.
