I have only been teaching a short time but have noticed that some students watch the demos but really don't pay attention. I'm hoping by asking quetions during the demo instead of just talking thru it they will be more engaged.
Hi,
I have always combined and balance theory and hands on experiences. It seems to work great with students and makes the class less painful.
Also, at the end of the class quarter, I ask for student's feedback. This makes me see if I am balancing my class lecture.
EVERY DAY THAT I TEACH IS A NEW DAY. The first day I have a greet each other and get to know each other class, and than I ask them where they see them self in 2 years, and 5 years from now. We then try to set sight on the outcome of the education and the goals of each student. I than have a open time where the students can ask any questions they have on their mind. With 37 years teaching, and a total of 45 years in the Criminal Justice field, 21 Years as a Chief of Police, I have a lot of cases that I answered and we can talk about them. I find that this helps break the ice with the students.
Watch other instructors. Talk with students.
I want to keep lectures short highlighing the course materials and employing powerpoints and videos. I will concentrate more on demos and encourage the students to both ask and answer questions so they can create what I have just shown them.
Hi Shari,
If you can work the motivation angle during any one on one time you might have with students. Try and greet each student as they enter the classroom/lab, chat with them a few seconds during breaks or small group discussions. This will help with the development of rapport which contributes to motivational development.
Gary
The techniques that I employ to further develop, refine and enhance my instructional style has always been a model and motivational. I start out with the
way I was taught as a student in first grade and as a student of my mother learning to be a home maker. I pattern my style by my role models when I was a student. I find myself using some of their old terms. I am constantly refining me as a parent, faculty and employee.
While I already use many of hte techniques discussed in this module, I would like to be better at motivation of my students. We are an excellerated nursing program and the courses are fast paced. I have so much material to deliver in such a short period of time, sometimes the motivational aspect gets a little overlooked.
I learn from others every day, and especially while I was in the work force. Using experience I've had, I want to be a model & mentor to the students. These days I believe the students are lacking for these two roles.
This is very important, too. Networking and knowing your resources are the best tools for career and professional development.
I employ teach backs - after lecturing a topic, I break the class into groups to further explore a concept and charge them to teach back to class in more depth. It's all about active learning and preparing students for confidence when speaking in front of a group of people.
Through demonstration of genuine interest, knowledge, & deep regard for nursing I try to foster not only the hard & soft aspects of the curriculum to be learned but emphasize the nurturing elements that are so essential to becoming an exceptional professional nurse.
My instructional style is, leading by example. I do not expect my students to perform any less than I give them as a template to follow. I also like to mix in a light heartedness along with structure to my lecture delivery. I feel this helps keep students attention span working.
I believe we can learn from others. Our colleagues are such valuable resources that we can always watch and learn. Somewhere, someone is doing something in the classroom that is working and will work for us. We need to be open to change, willing to try new things in the classroom. I am such a believer in learning from other instructors on new delivery methods, techniques, etc. We can always get better no matter how good we think we are! Scott
I always read my student surveys as they are often surprising. Many times what I think a student enjoys they actually find boring and vice versa
Hi Susan,
Perhaps I can be of some assistance in helping you memorize your students names faster. First, I have my students fill out an information sheet at the beginning of class. It consist of various questions like "name, address, major subject of study, what kind of work do you do, what do you hope to get out of this class, is there anything you would like to share with the class, how far are you in your program." You would be surprised how this helps get your students involved in the learning process. Because they may have been scared of talking in class, but when I get them involved during my teaching time, they can't stop participating in the learning process. This is what I want! I also have the student introduce themselves to the class, and then I collect their information sheet. This provides me with and immediate list of my students and gives me valuable information about them. I also have their order, and since most students stay relatively close to the same seating arrangement, this greatly helps me place the students name to their face, and information about each and every one of them. It works great! I teach as many as 6 classes at a time. The class sizes vary from 5 or 6 students, all the way up to about 25 students. Any class size this system works well. If you try this idea, I hope it works for you.
Sincerely,
Doug
Hi June,
You are correct. When you can bring in outside speakers who are experts in various fields it immensely improves the learning environment. I have brought in a few over the last year, ranging in the field of "Sales, Accounting and Information systems." The students appreciate the opportunity to ask pointed questions to the experts, their points reiterate what we are teaching by the textbooks, and I have found that motivated students are looking to network and establish contacts in the business world.
I have found if you are a member of a church, social groups, or professional organizations,this would greatly assist you in establishing quality contacts to enhance your classroom learning environment. Let me know if these ideas might be helpful to you..
Sincerely,
Doug
Hi Kim,
What you are saying is so true. Keeping up in your field of study is so important, but challenging in today society because the information is coming at us very rapidly. We also live very full and complete lives, causing us to budget and allocate time through managing it as carefully as we can. The exciting thing about expanding your knowledge within your field of expertise that I have found, is that when I learn new ideas and concepts I can't wait to share those thoughts and ideas with my students. We get excited about passing that knowledge along to our students.
Thanks for sharing,
Doug
Hi Martha,
I agree with you. I also take classes to enhance my learning through development with my discipline that I teach. I also read professional journals and books to get new ideas to address "paradigm shifts" that are occuring in the development of new business models. After all, we in education know that not only are textbooks "changing" rapidly; but often ideas, models, processes, and procedures are changing just as fast. Causing those of us in higher education displaying the concept of "life long learning" to our students and ourselves.
Thanks for your point(s),
Doug
Hi Wendy,
I couldn't agree more. Our students need to know that we care about them and help them to learn by using various techniques. Students have an uncanny ability to read through our verbal and nonverbal cues, and know when we are seriously interested in their learning and personal growth. I have found that as I show that I care and am interested in my students learning, they respond accordingly and excel in their learning. I also have found that attempting to provide a combination of (1) audible; (2) tactile; and (3) visual learning stimuli, my students maximize their learning because I will be connecting with their strength or strengths in their learning process.
Sincerely,
Doug
