Kevin, That's a good idea researching the internet to expand your teaching techniques. Also provides more discussion topics to get the students involved as well as become aware of the current events. It is important for them to become aware of what is going on in the community and not just focus on their field.
In the future for myself I would like to use powerpoint to get terms and formulas across,as well as add more demonstrations. I like the idea of mini-lectures and I will try to work my class schedule into doing these if they will be more beneficial to the student.
I'm always looking tocharnge and tweak the delivery and improve my style to teach better.
Every teacher has a style that works for him/her. What works for me doesn't necessarily work for someone else. I always prep my students for a different personality if I need a sub. That way I can know myself and capabilities and use them to my advantage and be on fire like Lloyd Banks.
Hi Ben,
The key is to look at the comments from students within context. Often students evaluate the instructor at the end of the course when there is all the pressure of completing assignments and passing the final. This is the worse time to get accurate feedback I believe. A way to get accurate and helpful feedback is to solicit input a points along the way. Give your students 3x5 cards and have them give feedback on a just completed project or assignment. They don't have to put their names on the cards so they will be more candid and not feel under pressure. I have been doing this for a number of years and have received great feedback that really helped me to improve my course.
Gary
Hi Ben,
Take the responses you get from your students and try to expand on their comments. Often times they will respond to a question with a respond that lets you say "that is a great answer because it brings up the point about .........." and you then can add any additional information you think the students need to have on that subject. This helps the student that gave the response to have more confidence and it lets you share the information the students need to have but in an alternative form rather than just straight lecture. In sense it is a lecture but the students don't see it that way because you are adding onto the response that was given.
Any additional questions on this let me know and I will be glad to give additional input.
Gary
Hi Ben,
I know how easily we tend to rely on lectures, but maybe add a powerpoint to the lecture to enhance the main points of your lecture. Another suggestion is to use a game such as Jeopardy. It really is easy to construct as there are templates on Google with easy to follow instructions. The students enjoy the break from a written test or a lecture and help each other learn collaboratively at the same time. Give the students some choice, too.Feedback is great, but changing things a bit is effective because we can easily just rely on "what works", but remember that our students are growing and changing with the times, and we must do that, too.
I have read the surveys and I am not quite sure what to make of all the material and comments.. I try to change what was obvious, but I have to admit that deep or hard criticizms can be hard to take..
I have several things I have looked at to inprove on my style.. As yet, I am still developing a style that I can see having the influence and outcome I desire....I tend to lean heavy on the lecture ,,but I am not distracted by student imput,,I actually like the imput,,,What I lack is the technique of encouraging that responce and then useing their responces to go to the next part of the material,,,imput and advice would be appreciated...
As a new instructor I intend to observe other instructors and apply knowledge being learned through instructor developement cces
Hi Scott,
I know you are going to enjoy the benefits of adding additional activities and exercises. These help to motivate the students and will give you some relief from long lectures. Have fun be creative and your students will benefit from it.
Gary
I strive to incorporate more group activities and in-class exercises. This does not come naturally, though. In my own education, the predominant instructional method was the lecture. It seems second-nature to mimic that, even what it is not particularly useful. I consciously try to overcome this tendency and think of more creative ways to engage the class.
Techniques that I can employ to further develop, refine, and enhance my instructional style are to stay current with professional development and research within my field and to learn from other instructors. Also, I believe that student feedback is important, so I read the evaluations when they are returned to me.I also listen , in class, when my students make suggestions about other instructors they have.
In another arena, I need to use more technology in my classroom.
Self-evaluation and introspection contemporaneously with a class is one way for me to evaluate, and thus identify areas that need improvement; additionally, having a colleague observe and share their observations is a good way to learn from another professional. Finally, paying close attention to student evaluations; and even augmenting the questions seeking more specific feedback, is important.
Constant professional growth comes from being open-minded and adventurous.
I take additional classes to improve my knowledge and in related fields. In addition to that I am always looking up pictures online or in the library to show my students. They love lot's of visual stuff.
I agree totally.
The more that a student can learn from your life experiences in the field they have chosen the more clout you as an instructor will have im their eyes.
By refining the information given by the students to better understamnd what their life experience is. Making sure that the student know what my experience is in the field they and I have chosen will help the students be more comfortable with the career they want to go into. The class can be better taylored towards the needs of the studentds and not just a reading directly from the book experience.
Hi Martin,
Creativity is essential for this group. By recognizing that your instructional method needs to illustrate that for your students you are doing a good job customizing your instruction to meet the specific needs of your students. Well done.
Gary
I am a visual teacher and always include in my lecture physical project samples. Student can understand much better from a sample than written instruction in an art career school.
What I have found most helpful in my last ten years of teaching is to do a daily self-evaluation of how each class period went. When I teach several sections of the same class, I analyze how the activities/lessons/etc. went with each group and try to determine why something worked with one group and not with another. I make mental or paper notes and try to tailor activities to the particular groups as I get to know them.
As I'm teaching, I also become aware of samples, examples, or practice exercises I should incorporate the next time I teach the material in order to help the students better grasp the material.
While I have to be careful not to let this evaluative practice depress me when a class didn't go particularly well, I have found that it helps me sharpen my skills and teach better the next night, week, and term.
