Brittney,
I this your observation will be very valuable to you as you develop your own instructional style and expand your professional expertise. If you get the opportunity observe in different settings so you will see how other professionals handle lecture, discussion, small group and lab situations.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One of the things that I intend on doing in the near future is observing another instructor in my field. I think collaborating and observing other faculty can help expand your teaching abilities. Not only do you see how they teach it, but you can observe how the students respond to it.
Frederick,
Thank you for these comments as they really target a key point that you make and that is you cannot wing it. If you try the students will disconnect and their learning will be impacted. Keeping up to date with both instructional best practices as well as the topics you are teaching will make sure the students are getting the most current content to aid in their career development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Stay on top of recent developments in technology, and various industry trends. You can't wing it. You've got to plan and prepare diligently for each and every class. You work out your plans carefully because then you're ready for anything that may develop in the classroom. That's how you handle the element of unpredictability. And that means: to help with making those plans, you need to create a professional development strategy, one that includes opening yourself up to educational theories, ways to deliver content and taking advantage of in-service training sessions at your school. I always say teaching is learning.
Sandra,
To keep your students engaged you can develop a variety of instructional activities that will let your students reset their brains at frequent intervals. Delivery a mini-lecture of 15-20 minutes then do an activity like case study, role playing, small group or discussion. Then do another mini-lecture and activity. Students like change of pace and variety in their instructional delivery so the more you can vary your delivery the better. The results will be focused students for the duration of your class session.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Kelly,
These are all great resources to catch the attention of students with different learning styles. I find that you cannot know the learning style of each student, but if you teach to each of the learning styles by incorporating all the tools you mentioned, you will address the needs of each student. With difficult concepts, I try to use several ways of presenting the material and prompting them to use their critical thinking skills to put it all together.
Speaking of stimulation, I have a class in the afternoon who just came from a four hour morning lecture and then lunch. I find several of them nodding off and a couple actually putting their heads down and sleeping. I do not think my lectures are boring as I have many students who engage. How should I deal with the students who "tune out"? My class is three hours. Should I give more breaks? I feel that one break of 15 minutes in 3 hours should be sufficient.
Sandy
Birgit,
I feel the same way. I am teaching dental radiology which in the beginning goes deeply into the physics of x-ray production. This is a very difficult concept for many students to grasp and also difficult for me to convey. I have looked for resoures to help explain concepts to students of all learning types, but have found very little out there. What I find works best is to actually draw the steps of x-ray production on the board while explaining the process. Even using very detailed PowerPoints is not very helpful. Any suggestions?
Sandy
Callie,
You make a key point about reflection after a class. This is such an important way to improve instructional effectiveness.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Continued learning and education will give you more tools to be successful. Also, reflect. After each class, take the time and ask yourself how it went, what went right? what went wrong? Did the students understand the lesson, etc.
Diana,
This is critical information to have as it can help you shape the way you plan your instructional delivery and select content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Listen to your students. What do they want to obtain from the course.
Crystal,
These are great ways to stay current in your field while expanding your instructional expertise. Having a plan for professional development is a must if an instructor wants to continue to expanding instructional effectiveness.
Thank you for sharing this list.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
There are several ways to expand your instructional abilities including keeping current with technology, software/hardware upgrades, as well as industry trends. Subscribing to industry-related magazines, blogs, twitter feeds, obtaining/maintaining memberships to professional organizations, attending industry-related events, conferences and trade shows are additional ways to expand your instructional abilities. Obtaining, maintaining professional certifications related to the industry or subject you are teaching is also a good way to expand your instructional abilities. It is also important to have a professional development plan that incorporates all of the above in addition to receiving training on educational theories, pedagogy, content delivery methods and attending in-service training sessions at your campus.
Willie,
Good plan for your professional development. By keeping something you are working to improve your instruction you will continually expand your expertise and increase your instructional effectiveness.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
By furthering my knowledge with teaching seminars and becoming better acquainted with new teaching methods and equiptment.
Kelly,
This is a great goal to have. The more senses you can help students use the more engaged they are going to be in the learning process. Keep up this most worthy effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Using powerpoint, simulation software and video are all tools I want to use to expand my instructional abiliteies. I want to blend the simulation with "hands-on" to reinforce and maximize student retention and learning.
Birgit,
This is one of the challenges as an adjunct. You are trying to provide the most comprehensive and current instruction in your field while maintaining your career. Preparing for even one class is a very time consuming effort but once you have these resources put together you will be able to focus on other aspects of your course when you teach it again. You have a great attitude of dedication toward your field, your students and your teaching efforts. Never lose this zeal.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As a new adjunct instructor I often feel I am flying by the seat of my pants. Although with years of experience in both the technical and management aspect in the healthcare field, it is sometimes a little frustrating if certain resources are not available. I tend to spend hours at home searching for student materials to use in the class room to engage the class i.e. medical terminology.
