Since I am a clinical instructor I agree that one most keep cuurent in the equipment and policies and procedures the hospital uses. Also, I engage the student by having main inservices and lectures by the professionals they are shadowing in the hospital. Students have shadowed doctors, nurses, therapy people. They also attended all the varous inservices related to these expertise. Therefore, they see how all the disciplines interconnect and help the patient. Not just nursing.
Mariann U
Some of the ways are:
keeping current with the technology of the industry that I'm teaching; keep working in the technology and industry that I am teaching; and having guess speakers come in a talk to the students about the industry and the new upcoming technologies.
Personally, I've been watching my students closely for signs that I need to develop or refine my instructional style. I find that every class has its own individual strengths and weaknesses. One way I monitor my class is by giving mental participation quizzes that focuses on the subject material I've just talked about. This is a great way for me to see if I've communicated the material clearly, and if my students are able to take what they've just learned and apply it. If they're still struggling, they let me know in person and through their quizzes; this is a sign to me that I need to either come at the subject from a new angle or work in some extra review time.
Hi Caroline,
I think this is very important as well. By knowing more about your students you are able to provide the needed supports. What are some ways you go about getting to know your students better?
Gary
I feel listening to students as well as careful observation is key to understanding what student needs are. As a result of this, I can then adapt my teaching style to those needs. We almost have to be chameleon like in our style, to allow for the differences and challenges that each individual student brings.
I believe that having an expanded knowledge of my students academic background and general needs will help me to present my courses in a way that they can relate to their life experiences. This knowledge can also make me a better role model and mentor for them.
Hi Johanna,
Good diversity in your instructional planning and delivery. This keeps your students engaged and forward focused on the course because of the ongoing changes you are bringing to the classroom.
Gary
Hi Wendy,
This is critical so respect and rapport can be developed with students. They have to know you care about them as humans. The care factor is important for student success and class progress.
Gary
I like to engage my students every class session. I have a variety of ways to introduce the material. I like to assess their readings every week by starting with a quiz. I also do powerpoints (which now I will limit to 20 minutes max) and demonstrations, including class discussion, which usually consists of a debate among student opinions.
Students need to feel that you care for there success and anything to help them to achieve there goals.
I think that self-reflection after each class is crucial to see what could be done differently to enhance the class. It also helps to work out the kinks in lectures, time management and overall class.
I like that idea, similiar to the Japanese concept of "shadowing" for new managers.
keep in mind the students learning styles, areas of interest and concerns for their career
I think it is very important to learn the "personality" of each class as soon as possible. You may be teaching the same class over and over, but the students change and the class personality changes. You can use this to determine what combination of instructional styles and methods work best for each class. If you have time and a small class, you can go even further and apply this to each student. Is anyone else familiar with Kolb's Circle?
Hi Kim,
Good professional development plan for the instructors. They are getting both content as well as direction from you so they can seek instructional improvement with guidance.
Gary
I am constantly searching the internet for articles relating to teaching strategies, learning styles, and classroom technique. I also create mentors out of instructors with whom I work. I ask to observe their classes, and I develop a list of questions I can ask them later when I want to know more about a situation or technique they demonstrated during my observation.
Kim Justesen
One of the methods I use to enhance or further develop my style is I ask several students what they thought about the modified activity I implemented. I asses their understanding and I modify that activity accordingly.
End course surveys can be beneficiation for the instructor it can show what areas the instructor needs to improve on sometimes they have a hard time communicated with an instructor or don’t really know how to approach the issue the survey gives the student the opportunity to voice if improvement is needed
Cynthia please share your online source.
I have found in the past that students can be made to feel rushed or not completely turthful with the end of the course assesment. I would enjoy one that I could taylor more for my type of instruction and not be so general. This feedback would help me a great deal with adjusting the teaching styles to fit my students needs.
With these assesments, how has it changed or improved your teaching styles?
Hey Jared,
Yes, instructional technique can be key to getting through to students. I use handouts, voice, audio/video, hands on, and powerpoints. It keeps things moving and as long as it all relates to the subject the students stay focused.
