Knowing one's own personality is important to one's teaching style. I know, for instance, that I must be organized and fully prepared and have a lectern on which to place my binder and text. Otherwise, I flounder. I like to bring activities for the class--it's a writing class--to keep the students motivated and alert. I never stick to one routine--but, as they say, "switch it up" because that is what makes the class interesting for me, and for the students, too--at least I hope.
Working with one's own personality is important. I try to instill a sense of wonder, awe, and surprise in my teaching, all of which is integral to my quest for learning. I base my technique on a science teacher that I had in my freshman year at high school. Entering his class room each week provided a glimpse into the unknown with many surprises to follow. He gave to me a model to emulate, that of preparing my students for ever new and exciting things to learn and to ponder.
Hi Angela,
Good plan for keeping the course content relevant and current. Your students know that you are working hard to make sure that they are getting the benefit of your research efforts in relation to the training they are receiving.
Gary
For me I like the idea of looking inot my past when I think about my instructional style. I have been throuhg a lot of education up to this point and I believe that I can count on one hand the number of instructors that have inspired and taught me well and I think about their style of instruction. They have been good models for me and I think I that I use that as I develop as an instructor.
I use the internet a lot... a consantly review for new articles referring to the business topic I am instructing.
I like to take that article lead into a real life disussion - then do a mock simulation. I feel confident when I can give them up to date information in our field.
I use end-of-term surveys to assess students' responses to the overall course. And I agree--this process is very helpful to the instructor, especially in amending future coursework.
Hi Holly,
Spoken like a live long learner. You have a great attitude and desire to continue your professional development. Never lose that excitement and keep developing your instructional skills. Your students will benefit greatly from your efforts.
Gary
Hi William,
I would suggest one other form of student feedback. I give my students 3x5 cards at the end of projects, assignments or quizzes. I ask them to comment on the structure and value of the items. They don't put their names on the cards so they can comment freely. I find the comments I get to be constructive and helpful. This method also lets me make adjustments mid-course if needed.
Gary
I use periodic assessments sometimes, but it depends on the class. There are certain groups of students who'll use the opportunity to give their opinion as a reason to pick at objectives they haven't mastered yet. I love teaching and my students, but about half the time I find that they don't reach the level of being able to critique the course/instructors competently until they've gotten far enough into the objectives to know what they are or aren't missing.
So I try not to ask the students what they think too early on--using their willingness to do good work on the assignments as a measuring stick as well.
I love reading, taking classes, and reflecting on lessons in my content area. Doing these things helps enhance my instructional style.
Continue to review each of the student survey to determine what changes need to be made by the next session.
Sudent surveys are benneficial for creating changes for the next session of classes.
To improve instructional techniques and outcomes, I use a three-week, mid-term, and final week student evaluations and comments.
Course content, class activities, materials, and communication style are assessed.
What would be best means to get student feedback?
I like to read up on material constantly and watch other professors teaching styles and incoorparte some of that into my own.
Hi Scott,
This is a great way to receive feedback that is accurate and targeted. I do the same thing in my courses and this really helps me to customize the instruction as needed.
Gary
Here at Briarcliffe College, we use term-end student surveys to gauge students' reactions to course criteria and instruction. These surveys work well when students can provide written feedback, rather than answers to multiple-choice questions. It's better to know what students think when they write back in their own words. Sometimes they are disgruntled and offer angry opinions--but other times their insights are be helpful--and eye-opening.
I ask my students how things are going in an anonymous survey. I ask the students to critique my style.
I intend to benchmark with other instructors/facilitators to understand what the best practices might be for my areas of study.
Finally, by reading industry newsletters I hope to understand what things work best for students.
I like to focus on delivering the subject matter
in whatever class being taught, in a manner that can be understood and comfortably practiced, copied and ultimately achieved.
I feel this helps to build confidence for beginners and seasoned learners alike.
While comments made on class evaluations are helpful for the next class, it's kind of late for the current one. I solicite information back from the class verbally through questioning to see if the students understand the material presented. The proof comes when I review the tests. I look for trends not understood. I can then make those points in a different way. That way the learneing of those concepts are understood, making the students better in their profession, as well as successful when the final exam is given.
Hi Mark,
You are doing a good job of mixing the flow of the class up and this is great for engaging the learners. Variety is a key way to help students to remain focused on the course content.
Gary
