Teaching style
I have a question about teaching style. All instructors have teaching style. I would like to learn very effective and unique style. I am a relatively new so that it is nice to know other teaching style.
Hi Omri,
Good strategy for reaching your students effectively. I agree with you about the differences between day and evening students. I have to change my strategies to reach the two different groups due to their experience levels, motivation and dedication to learning.
Gary
Aloha, my teaching style is to be very observent of the students overall characteristics and learning styles for the first 3 to 4 classes. Utilizing teaching techniques of the various learning style and then focus on the styles that best relate to them. I also will do further research in that particular learning style to further my teaching skills. I found it quite interesting the difference between evening students and day time.
Thanks Gary,
it didn't take me long to learn this teaching approach...I took what I admired most about my former instructors and applied it. My students thanked me and several stated "great role model" at the end of the quarter when I asked each of them before the final to list 5 things they either learned, liked or would change about my class with no name needed. It's my way of getting feed back from them other than their evaluations they do earlier on. I also need to check myself and improve as I go along.
Hi Theresa,
Your listing of honesty, respect and compassion says it all. This is what students, especially those that are at risk of leaving school or don't see themselves as being able to be successful in college need to observe in their instructor.
Gary
I found that my "own style" of teaching eveoleved very quickly with the inner city diverse group of student I worked with. I was not sure what style I would use as I myapproach either. I find honesty, respect, and compassion while remembering we are there to give an education are key!
Since everyone learns differently, is it possible to find a style that will reach every student? Or is that the never-ending quest of an educator?
Hi Donna,
This is a good way to reflect on and develop your own style because our previous instructors have helped shape us into the professionals we are today. We can chose from both the good and bad to find our own style to the benefit of our students.
Gary
Hi Sheryl,
Way to go in exhibiting a teaching style that is supportive, professional and appealing to students. This is what teaching should be like so both the students and you can enjoy your time together.
Gary
I try to remember what made my past teachers special and memorable and I try to emulate their styles. Over time, I have incorporated my own personality into their styles until it felt comfortable for me.
I also seem to build a good relationship with my students by having a sense of humor, tell some interesting personal short stories and get to know them a bit better personally. The students want to like you as well as respect you. They respect my talent through demos and my career based skills. They also want to come to my class because I'm not a condescending control freak.
I try to have a very relaxed and open teaching style, trying to reach all students: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. I often tell jokes and keep it interesting and relate to the students and their every day lives.
My experience has been that if you show your students that you truly care about them, they will become a very forgiving audience while you work on developing your "style". I have noticed that students respond well to being asked for feedback, especially when their opinions are listened to and put into practice. Your style may fluxuate based on the setting, topic, audience, etc., however, showing that you care is timeless. Also, learning student names as soon as possible and calling all of your students by their first name is magic. This small thing will bond your students to you faster no matter what your teaching style is. Sorry if this info is repeated elsewhere. I know I am not the first person to have these ideas!
Hi Masami,
It's great that you want to have an effective and unique teaching style. From my own experience, I would recommend the following:
(1) When you have free time, sit in on courses taught by fellow instructors. You will see different teaching styles in action and can incorporate aspects that you like in your own teaching. You could probably find some online video lessons on websites like youtube.com
(2) Don't be afraid to experiment with different instructional models (e.g. lecture, group activities, tiered curriculum, etc.). Mistakes will happen during this process. You will learn a lot from these mistakes, but more importantly, you will have a good start at developing an effective and diverse set of instructional tools.
