Thanks you for your input regarding joining the national league of nursing. I will look into it in the future.
Mariann U
Join the National League of Nursing - which offeres accredation for nurse educatiors. Accredataion requires ongoing education to maintain active status which promotes ongoing education enhancing the educators skills and knowledge
I agree knowing available resources is a major part of educating. I do not believe in giving students the answers but helping them to find the answers. Stduents who seek aditional resources to answer questions retain more information and have a working knowledge of how to use the resource again.
Hi Jamie,
Way to go in offering variety in your instructional delivery. By changing the place and getting a lot of student input you are helping them engaged in the learning process as well as enjoying learning.
Gary
I also agree that peer review will help. Also suggestions following and networking would elp.
Mariann U
The technique that I use every week is a "temperature check." I have my own instructional style, but I need to know that this style matches the needs of my students. I frequently ask questions to make sure that the students understand the material and inquire about other methodologies that students would benefit from. By doing this I found that the students in my course like games such as Wheel of Fortune and Jepordy to review for quizes and exams. I have incorporated this into my instructional style for this quarter and the students are having fun and feel that they have a voice in the classroom.
I think one technique to enhance my instructional style would be to ask for some peer review from time to time. Having a fellow instructor sit in occasionally and give some constructive criticism would be helpful. Similarly, I could sit in on other courses where instructors have differing styles from which I might learn. The more exposure I have to other ways of doing things, the more I tend to assimilate the best parts of each.
Jared
I try to shoiw students how the course work relates to their everyday lives
I'm actually in the role of administrator -working with faculty on these issues. I have learned many things while observing the instructors since starting in this role, and would like to encourage my faculty to observe others to get a feel for different styles. We survey our students in all classes and I review the results with the faculty. Listening to feedback from students, observers, and objectively reviewing survey feedback can help an instructor understand what is working and what may need to change to improve delivery style.
I believe that using more anecdotal methods of teaching provides opportunities for higher learning.
I have weekly objectives also. I always create an outline which I also write on the board each week for students. I also place my outline on blackboard.
I agree with Louis. The surveys really help and the feedback can be quickly modified and integrated into the next term. I really try to use real world examples and situations whenever possible as well.
Hi Carolyn,
Great ways to stay current and expand your expertise as an educator. Thanks for sharing your methods with us. Keeping current in the field as well as with instructional techniques benefits both the students and the instructor.
Gary
writing objectives on the board daily and meeting those objectives.
It is important to always incorporate new techniques that can you employ to further develop, refine and enhance your instructional styles. Teaching is a constant learning process. Sometimes things work in the classroom and sometimes they do not. I learn by trial and error. I also examine and interview other more experienced teachers for their thoughts and ideas. I asked, “what worked for your class?” Or “I have this situation, what solution has worked for you in the past?” I am always trying to read new articles and get brainstorming activities from those as well.
Hi Steve,
I use two types of mentors. There are in class or peer mentors. These are advanced students that are willing to share information and work with newer students. The mentors like to do this because it lets them use and expand their knowledge base when they share with the mentees.
The other type of mentors are those from the field outside of the school. Generally these are practicing professionals that want to work with those in training. These mentors help to create a connection between the student and the field that helps them to transition between school and work easier.
For outside mentors the time is generally 2 to 3 hours per week. For the in-class mentors the time varies depending on the needs of the mentees.
Gary
I think I am going to try different approaches to sharing the information. I have relied on lecturing as the only way of delivering the content, but I am going to try small groups, discussion, and even internet learning to engage my students more and get more participation.
I think making them feel more involved in the class room will enhance their learning.
Listening to my students' concerns or suggestions and adapting my teaching style to meet their needs (within reason) is a way to engage students and make them feel like they are heard.
The amount of contact time I spend with per student varies. I only teach one course, but two sessions. In our environment everyone is at a different level within the cirriculum and the program is based as such that the students learn at their own pace, within a limited number of hours. Depending on the level of computer software and hardware knowledge they come in with, is what determines the amount of time they need me to spend solely on them. I would say that I spend more time with some students than others, simply because they need the additional guidance and help, but overall it is balanced. I have only been in my position for appx 3 months and in those three months we have experienced exponential growth. I don't think it would be fair for me to rate the effectiveness of the program at this point. I firmly believe that once additonal structure occurs within the college itself that the program will be extremely effective. In addition, I am making an attempt to be more proactive in the classroom, adding additional material to the cirriculum to make the process a bit more fun and educational for all.
I would like to find out more about the role your mentors play in your education process. How much contact time do you spend with the student per course? and how effective has your program been?
