Teaching style
I am becoming a new instructor and just beginning my instructor training.
I am very confident in my experience, and knowledge of the subject matter. I am very interested in some opinions about establishing and maintaining the teacher student relationship.
Your advice and experiences to help develop my own personal teaching style would be greatly appreciated.
If we want to be become good instructor.
-Set an expectation for the court will be valuable and enjoyable.
-Experience,knowledge and develop personnal teaching style would be succesful.
It can be very helpful to spend part of the first day letting your students set up some operational rules for the class. You will learn a great deal about them and you can learn how to set up the best learning environment for your class.
I am wondering if you are asking about actual presentation style? You are probably going to have to experiment and discover what works best for you. Your peers and your dean can give you some pointers, but your style needs to be individual so that it works for you.
Hey Michael,
I would have to agree with Trudy. The first day is the most important day when it comes to laying the ground rules (foundation) on which the class is built.
I to have a very detailed syllabus that not only includes the Course Description, Educational Objectives, Contact Information, Assignments and the Assignment policies, School Policies, Grading System, etc., but I also include a calendar that breaks down day by day what is going to be covered, what is going to be assigned, and what is due.
The first days presentation of you as a professional is also important. As the module suggested, I wear in what people conventionally believe a Designer looks like (you know, black pants and jacket, grey shirt). As well as put on a bit of a show for a few seconds (faux german accent, large coffee mug)—Bauhaus attitude.
This, if it works, allows the students to "buy in" to their education (if even for a moment), it serves as an ice breaker, it breaks stereotypes, and it paves the way to discussion about what it is that they want or are looking to get out of the class.
As well as what is expected as far as professionalism in their field.
But you also have to be ready—also mentioned in the module, preplanning is key.
The ice breaker sets students at ease, and this in turn allows them easy access to develop a relationship with me. As far as maintaining the relationship, once the lines of communication have been opened—you'll find those student's coming back to you throughout their academic career (and some times into their professional careers) if they need advice you are the subject matter expert of.
Have a bit of a sense of humor, be flexible, be honest.
I find that managing expectations from the beginning is a great way to establish the teacher student relationship. I lay out a detailed syllabus that explains week by week the lecture topic, in-class exercises, homework assignment and due dates. Included are my grading criteria, contact information (parameters on calling times and e-mail responses). This way the students know what to expect from you and you intern are advising the students what are expected of them (not only to pass the class but acceptable behavior as well, ie: no texting, be on time, etc. It helps create a mutal respect between you and the student.
