Its a good idea to ask for feedback or have surveys /evaluations taken by the students. It's also helpful if a fellow instructor is able to sit in on a class or two and let you know what their outside opinion is.
Discussing instruction with other teachers as well as reading materials on websites etc can also be put to good use.
Watching other instructors and students is the best practice to further develop your style.
Hi William,
You are right. It is our business to offer quality instruction. We can be supportive and customize our instruction as needed beyond that we can be models, managers and motivators. The social networking is best left to the students and their peers.
Gary
Hi Nancye,
Good way to balance your instructional style. Your way can keep the students engaged and focused while they are acquiring the content and required skills.
Gary
My Instructional style is a combo of professional & humerous. I use alot of stories to reinforce my point and try to have a fairly relaxed style while still controlling the classroom.I try to develop a rapport w/ my students as a model, mentor & motivator.I try to let them know I care abuot them
i would like to learn to use more technology to expand my range of delivery methods, I have requested a projector to use in conjunction with a laptop computer so that i could make a power point presentation in ANY classroom and not be limited to just those which are set up with equipment for lectures and films
I am some what new to the educational arena as well(less than a year). I like to be friendly with my students, but still keep them at an arms length, so to speak. I have found that being to friendly tends to break down the teacher student relationship; which can adversly affect their ability to learn. My students appear to have plenty of friends, what they need is a competent teacher.
Hi Craig,
Welcome to the profession. I know you are going to have a rewarding career as an educator. I have been in this business for over thirty years and have enjoyed every year of it. Your goal in relation to developing your instructional style is a good one. All the components you listed will contribute to your growth and development as an instructor of excellence.
Gary
I am new to instructing in a classroom environment, so at this point I am still trying to develop my instructional style by observing experienced instructors. My goal is to try to take a little from everyone I observe and apply it to fit my personality. Also by being able to absorb information and real life experiences of others posting on this forum is really helping to put me on the right path.
At this point being a new instructor I will depend a lot on past practical applications in the field, hands on ,were to resource info,and group ideas....then use concepts of model,managing,and motivator...from this I hope to develope an apropriate classroom enviroment...
Hi David,
By taking a few minutes before and at the beginning of class to chat with the students and making sure you acknowledge each one you will be sending a signal that you are approachable. Students respond to an open and friendly instructor. By being friendly you are not in anyway being less professional but you are showing that you care about their success.
Gary
I am just starting and I like to so the students I do care & try to make sure everyone is able to approch me.
i think watching other teachers and learning from them would be a great idea.
Hi Jason,
Good for you. A well defined professional development plan will help to keep you on target with your skill and knowledge development as an educator. Your increased skills will be of benefit of both your students and yourself.
Gary
The importnat concepts that I use in my role as an instructor are to be more of a motivator and manager. I also take very seriously my professional development plan. I feel that this would enhance the delivery that I provide to my students and further my skill set.
I take classes with other local artist and designers to stay current in my field, and expand the knowledge of the subject I teach.
Hi Caren,
A comfortable class where students feel supported really sets the stage for increased learning. If the students feel they can take risks in answering questions or leading a discussion they will in such a setting. Your class is such a setting. This is why they work at coming up with the answers themselves in many cases because you have helped them to have the confidence to do so.
Gary
I try to tailor my teaching to the needs of my students. Each class has a very different tone and assessing how best to get the information to each group is where I start. I also try to help the students be comfortable in an environment that may be intimidating through humor. It puts the class at ease. I also believe in causing the students to think critically by asking questions during lecture and sometimes turning their questions bak at them. Often they can reason out the answer themselves.
Hi Tony,
The immediate changes that a number of participants have referred to are those that are needed within the current course. There may be some type of student dynamic going on that needs to be addressed immediately for the good and continued success of the class.
Your point about looking at the long term in relation to syllabi changes and course assignments is a good one. These changes shouldn't be reactive but thoughtful when made.
Gary
Hi Tony,
Talk about making it "real" you are doing it. The students know that what you are talking about in class is the latest information because you are using it in your daily efforts in your business.
Gary
