Newbie
It is great to read the threads here and the ED101! It's perfect for me as a new instructor. I was wondering.... what helped you the most when you were starting out as a new instructor?
Hi Jason,
Good observations. This gives you a number of different examples from which you can plan your own style of instruction. You can find the balance you want to have in your classroom so you can lead and manage the learning of your students.
Gary
As a new instructor, I feel I have learned quite a bit from watching and interacting with the other instructors and the students as well. I have seen multiple instructors teach the same course and the professionalism and energy they put forth is really what makes or breaks the whole course. If the instructor is droll, I find that the students will also respond in this manner, but if an instuctor is overly upbeat, the class seems to respond as carefree and then loses track as to where the class is supposed to be headed. There is a fine line as to where the class needs to be to not only be fun, but educational as well.
Hi Sharlene!
I think the things that helped me the most was enjoying the subject matter and genuinely enjoying the students as they are and for who they are, rough edges and all.
When the students know you enjoy the subject matter and more importantly, you enjoy THEM, it taps into a core part of who they are and I find they become very responsive because they feel safe. My job is not to judge; it is to guide and encourage and to be a "coach" who sees their potential and works with them to bring that potential out.
I make an assumption they are there because they WANT to learn and I invite the students to join me in a journey of exploration and learning so it becomes a "together" adventure where we are all going in the same direction; only difference is I'm a bit farther ahead!
I am the kind of person who tends to be critical and I often have unrealistic expectations of myself so I have to constantly try to make it OK to not have to be perfect. This way I can relax and this creates a more comfortable learning environment. By letting the students know I am human, don't know it all and I too have walked the path they are on, they seem feel reassured, are more relaxed and learning occurs more easily.
Hope this helps.
Patti
A few things helped me when I first statrted teaching. I think the biggest motivation for me was a fellow insrtuctor. I was scared that I didn't know enough about the subject matter and I felt as if it was my first day at school. The head instructor which I had a chance to shadow for a short time helped me get comfortable with how to help students properly and gave me plenty of lititure to read up on. He was very helpful in explaning to me how to keep the students on task and how to answer questions that may come up relating to the subject that may be based in theory.Being able to get one on one time with someone that has been teaching day in and day out helped me immensly to build my confidence and help build on my weaknesses. Another thing that really helped me was being able to go through the same courses and projects that I had done as a student. I was able to figure out the advantages and disadvantages of doing certain operations and then relay that info to my students.
I am also new to this and as well all i can say is to take everything you can from the seasoned instructors. In turn make the class yours using what works for you.
As always, the advice of those who have gone before me helps a lot. Thank you. Truly appreciated :)
Sharlene
Hi Teresa,
I wish you much success in your new career. Glad to hear that you are getting ideas, strategies and tips from the discussions in the forums.
If you have any specific questions about getting started as a new professional let me know and I will be glad to help you out.
Gary
I agree it is great to read the thread in this forum. I am also a new instructor and have been facing some difficult challenges since the instructor before me which caused my students to have to adapt to change which wasn't something they liked right away, so any and every tip i get in these forums are great and much appreciated!
Hi Sharlene,
Several things. Talking with other more experienced instructors. Asking them questions and finding out how they handled different situations. A lot of reading about teaching on all levels. Not much written about how to teach on elementary and secondary level but not the college level. So I used that information to see how I could use it on the college level.
The biggest help was experience. Which is true for every situation. Time in rank. I took over mid phase for a teacher so it was sink or swim. I took a number of large gulps of water but I soon was able to tread water then swim. My confidence started to grow and the rest is history. You will find yourself in the same growth pattern. Be prepared, be human and be confident. You are the content matter expert sharing your knowledge with your students. Look for ways to make your sharing process better each time you teach and you will be fine.
Gary
