Trying something new
I have found it very helpful to try something new sometimes (not all of the time)! I base some of the things that I try on student complaints or requests. I know that it is good to be who you are but I like to journey outside my comfort zone sometimes. Sometimes it improves who I am.
Hi Jenny,
The point you make about moving people out of their comfort zone is a good one. For adult learners this is very true. They need support so they can develop the confidence needed to know that they can be successful in their career training.
Gary
I find not only does trying something new get me out of my comfort zone but also shows a class that its not scary. I find what most people dont like is what they dont know. When you have confidence in an area you begin to enjoy it more and crave more knoledge of it.
HI Robinson,
Exactly! Everyone comes out of activities like this as winners. The students get to share their knowledge, you get to learn more about what the students have learned and everyone has gained additional knowledge and insight about the field.
Gary
This is a very good way to incorporate something new to the class. Using mini-presentation created by students is something that works very well for me when I started working as an instructor. It give the students the opportunity to share ideas and look for information that can be useful in class and on the work place.
On top of that, it provides information to you on the subject that you are teaching and it can be use the next time you teach the class.
Is very important to let them understand the importance of this project, and that you need all of them to get involve in one way or another, and make sure they have fun doing it.
Hi Heidi,
Good strategy of using all the resources you can to lead the instructional parade for your students. All of these methods are good teaching tools plus they let you develop as a professional as well.
Gary
When I was in that situation I had the students do more. I gave them topics to research that pertained to the course material and had them give mini-presentations. I have also had debates/panel discussions and I gave them computer time to research. The next time I teach the class I am more knowledgeable. In my experience, students enjoy the debates/discussions so much they don't realize that you are doing it because you don't have time to prepare.
Also, I talk a lot about what I know best and have the students do the work on the topics I am less familiar with. I also use field trips and guest speakers to fill in my gaps of knowledge.
Hi Carolyn,
Time is always an element that seems to get away from us. With your heavy schedule the only suggestion I can make is to get yourself organized into a set of lists. Decide what are the most pressing issues within the course and then work on them. It is easy to become overwhelmed if you see yourself having too much to do. Look at your course and decide that this phase I am going to concentrate on media and the work on that. Next could be supportive handouts, then move to something else. This way you have an improvement plan that you can work through with purpose and direction.
Gary
I am a new instructor and am challenged beyond my ability now. I am striving to listen to my students. I've asked them to give me feedback after every class on what they liked or need to know or do different. I am trying to meet their expectations and the colleges. I find myself without the time I need to complete getting ready for class and learning the new book and doing all of the computer requirments at the same time. Plus I work 2 other jobs. Any suggestions?
Hi Jennifer,
Right you are about being excited to teach your career content. As an instructor I sure wouldn't want to teach a course that is boring to me because I know I would have behavioral management issues. But, by being excited about the content the students will soon become engaged in the learning process and teaching will be much easier plus a lot more rewarding.
Gary
When we show our passion for our industry, I think that the students become excited and passionate as well. There is nothing worse for a student than an instructor who is bored with the content of the class. The apathy becomes contagious.
Hi Sara,
You are right we need to push ourselves in terms of our abilities as professional educators. We need to look at all aspects of learning and use what ever will facilitate student success, even if we have to work hard at learning how to use it.
Good luck with FaceBook.
Gary
Trying something new pushes an instructor out of their comfort zone (at times) and I believe we should challenge ourselves to do this! For example, as an instructor, I have been asked to use FaceBook to reach out to students as a way to communicate with them.
Students can sense when we are becoming bored with our class because of repetition. It is necessary to challenge ourselves so that they can see we still have passion for the industry we have chosen.
Hi Sandi,
Feedback really is important for our professional improvement. It helps us to know better how and what to deliver to our students and is a part of our professional development.
Gary
Life is often about change and improvement. I really appreciate feedback and input from those I consider experts. Student feedback is also important as I want each student to leave feeling the course was of value to him/her. I try to pick one "new" thing at a time to make sure I am comfortable and doing correctly and appropriately. I believe it helps to keep me "on my toes."
I find that trying something new is not just beneficial to students, but also keeps me fresh.
I try something new nearly every term. I base the new activities on the feedback that comes from the instructor surveys - which are very helpful.
I agree that trying something new can be very insightful for the instructor, but also rewarding for the students. I have found that by getting new teaching ideas from fellow faculty (even in different career fields) as well as professional colleagues and externship supervisors can lead to surprising and usually positive results in the classroom. Generally, students are excited to try something new and often have ideas for taking the concepts in new directions relevant to the course.
I find that by trying new things, you will find some things that work, and others that don't work quite as well.
Over time, you develop a good mixture of things to help your teaching and things go smoothly.
