Many students will never see the value of life-long learning. But to those who "get it" the library instruction can not only set them up for success in their current study but also enable them to gather information on any question that may come up in their life following their formal schooling. The more engaging we can make the instruction, the more likely the student will remember the process, even if they didn't think it was necessary at the time.
It is encouraging to hear that you are considering helping student recognize valid, reliable sources of information. Too often, students think if they can find the information on the internet, it must be true. It is also important for students to look at several reliable sources because even informed resources have opinions, and data can be interepreted in a number of ways. This is part of the analysis and synthesis phases of learning. Students need to think critically and ask questions of their sources. How would you help your students recognize where they can get reliable information?
As a librarian one of my roles is to train our culinary students with information-searching skills that go way beyond Google. Our parent corporation provides to all students subscription, full-text, searchable databases.
We "encourage" our students to learn how to search these databases by developing content-relevant assignments that require online journal or newspaper articles.
Now, there is very little how-to-use-the-resources instruction because the directions are clear and to most students the basics are familiar. By the time students are finished with their studies, they've finished a "library" assignment in most of their classes. The assignments are intentionally designed to cover specific content of the class.
The main challenge is to convince students that these resources can contribute an important part to "life-long learning." Since I'm the one who signs off on the projects before they hand them in to the instructor/chef I get an earful of complaints. I'm trying to remember if there have been 5 students in the last 18 months who have said that they plan to continue this form of professional development.
How to add value for these skills to students? That is the question.
One strategy we havn't tried is to train students how to recognize valid, reliable, and accurate information. Taking some time from speech or English-disciplines that require good use of information-to teach methods of evaluating information sources would be the place to teach these skills.
Another stategy I might try to get faculty buy-in for is for them to give students "pop quizes" that are really "Easter-egg hunts" that force students to use the information resources available.
I believe that a professional should know some of the history of the profession, be able to identify current trends, and anticipate future directions. That philosophy is what drives my attempts to involve students in the virtual world out there.
To refine and enhance my instructional style, I would observe other instructors who appear to engage students effectively. I would observe what kinds of techniques they use, consider the content delivered and the student outcomes. I would engage in discussion with those instructors regarding their experience using various techniques.
I would also read research on engaging students, active learning, competency based education. What seems to be most effective in my subject area.
I would then implement one or two of the techniques in my classroom and evaluate their effect. The evaluation would lead to further reflection on the efficacy of the technique, what I would want to try in future to refine it's use.
I strongly beleive in the open communication i beleive it leads to student confidence and to a better learning enviroment
thanks
Armando
I realize that the time and effort needed to assist parents and student comes from open lines of communications in regards to the transition from a high school to college. I've taught CTE classes at the high school level. I have always believed that having open dialogue with all students promotes a better culture for learning. My instructional style starts and ends with open and honest communication
I found out when I was a new instractor that I did fall into the babysitter role. I found that it is to much to handle the students problem. Now I run the class with encouragment,support& fairness. Also a Motivator is very important for the students, telling when they do a good job on there projects in class for the buffet. Being a professinal in class at all times.
i can and will vary my lessons to accommodate the different learning styles in the class. including outlines and audio/video accompaniment to the lectures.
I find that the approach of emulating favorite instructors from my own educational past has worked better with adult students than it did with adolescents. Enthusiasm for subject matter seems to be infectious for those old enough to understand what the value of an education is, but young students need to see some sort of immediate payoff for academic effort that has nothing to do with long-range goals.
I think it's always a good idea to observe other instructors and evaluate what does and does not seem to be working in their classes. Also, I think it's important to be constantly evaluating student learning in the classroom, and I don't just mean by way of tests and quizzes. It's also important to be very in tune with the students, including how comfortable they seem to be with the material and each other and your teaching style. If management issues are coming up in class, it's often a sign that the most effective delivery style for this particular group of students is not being used.
All in all, I feel that developing, refining, and enhancing instructional style requires an open mind, constant attention to student learning, and a willingness to change and adapt.
The more traning I can get the better I can make myself
My instructional style includes hands on type of activities. My subject is Chemistry which can be challenging. Using my experience as a student in the past, I try to put myself in my students seat. I keep my students alert by educating them through so many demonstrations. To keep them in check, I quiz them afterward immediately. I do this to help them review each newly introduced concept.
My instructional style is constantly adapting to the changing students. People are people and most of that goes unchanged but how students respond to the setting changes. Different student respond to different types of encouragement. Some students respond well to the freedom of choice in their work. Others respond to a strictly defined assignment. Part of developing my instructional style is staying current with the students.
I increase my validity with the students by understanding the way that the gen ed classes I teach are connected to the careers that they have chosen. That requires learning a fair amount about their career fields.
Observe others (more experienced instructors)
Play to your areas of strength
Utilize visual teaching aids
Continuing education in classroom management
Constant revision of class plans vis-a-vis what really works/connects with the students
I utilize a story telling mode at times to engage my students and elicit their participation. I also talk to other instructors and find out what is working for them. And if possible adopt some of their methods.
My goals include attending my college's in-services, becoming a member of ACTE, and competing these Maxknowledge courses. Being a new instructor, I am also looking forward to getting feedback from my Dean of Faculty and my students, so I can take a look at what is working and what I can improve upon.
I can sit-in on other classes,and attend work shops.What works best is look ,and listen to your students see what type of learners they are,and meet their needs by incorporating college mission statement, field experience,and most of all just be yourself a PROFESSIONAL.
After being in college and grad school for a total of 8 years, I tend to use a lot of lecture in my classroom. I think it is simply because that has been my educational experience. The Insighte profile has been helpful for me to understand what type of learners I may have in the classroom. I am trying to get away from so much lecture and incorporate other types of activities. I think this resource will be helpful, and being able to talk with other instructors and find out what's worked for them will help me improve as well.
It really is an awesome feeling to hear all the similar emotions and good feelings that most teachers experience. No matter what the style, there's nothing more rewarding than the feeling of accomplishment you get when you see that lightbulb flash on top of one your student's head. You know you've done something right!
A style that I have found that works well for me is to ask questions. Often times we, as students, have many questions that we are afraid to ask- for various reasons. These questions that go unasked need to be answered! The main reason questions are not asked is we do not want to be embarrassed by what we believe will be perceived as a lack of knowledge. I can remember leaving a class with a question and pursuing a classmate that I considered fairly bright. I was surprised to find out that he did not know the answer either. He also had the same question! When I asked him why he didn’t ask the teacher the question, he shared that he “didn’t want to get laughed at.” (The same reason I had for not asking the question!) I try to keep track of the questions that students ask outside the class and the next class I try to ask the new class these questions that have come up from previous classes at the appropriate time during class. This technique also helps to gauge learning as well as increase my knowledge in the subject area.
I like to speak loud too, especially when students looks tired (to use my voice) to get their attention, but i like to walk around in classroom some times to ensure all students really join the lecture.
