Lyndsay,
You are on the right track with this approach to your professional development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think that the best way to refine and enhance my instructional style is to be open to new ideas and criticisms. I am a new instructor, so to me this is all a learning process. I like feedback from coworkers and students because it gives me an idea of what is working and what is not.
James,
Good plan because the end is the reason they are there in the first place. They need to be reminded frequently about their career goals and how they are making progress toward them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I always utilize all three types at all times. However, motivating them to begin with the end in mind always works..
The techniques I would implement to assist in the development, refining and enhancement of my instructional style is to prepare teaching materials prior to class, beginning and ending classes on time and formatting lectures in a way that incorporates the different learning styles of students.
Since every student is different I try to reach them on a personal level. To let them know that I am there for them and welcome suggestions to help with the class. Make them feel needed
Sarah,
The key is to convince the students that they are in fact a learning tool rather than a distraction in the classroom or lab when used correctly.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Cell phones are an exceptional learning strategy. They allow students to take pictures of content on whiteboards, download PowerPoints to follow along, and record deadlines and expectations.
Kayla,
Thank you so much for these comments. They are right on the mark in terms of how one develops into being the learning leader they want to be for students. As you say it is an ongoing process which means that we get to experience growth much like our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The techniques you can employs to further develop, refine, and enhance your instructional style I believe begins on the very first day of classes when you meet your students. Using your first class as an open forum for students to express their excitement or concerns about the upcoming course work as well as their needs from the instructor to best help for their success. You also are able to discuss your expectations for the class and emphasize your willingness to help them. I provide students with numerous ways to contact me as well as emphasize that my door is ALWAYS opened to them. I feel that as an instructor my job is to help every student in my classroom understand and master the knowledge. I tend to teach and address all learning styles at various points throughout the semester to engage all students with various learning styles. At a previous institution, students participated in a quiz to help determine their learning style the first week of classes and they were able to apply the knowledge gained from the assessment to successfully complete the classes.
Finally, being a forever learner is a priority in the educational field as you need to stay current on advances in technology and teaching methods. Being involved in various professional organizations and reading literature are easy ways to learn new teaching techniques.
Randy,
This is how expertise as an educator is achieved. By having a professional development plan that you can follow and as you gain knowledge as well as expertise your instructional effectiveness will increase as well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Try to keep this up beet and positive everyday I am learning and changing things a little and making it my own, which make thing flow better.
but still keeping structure.
Being extremely knowledgable of the content, as well as preparing each class is a great start. I also like to split lecture and interactive time up every half hour to keep the students actively participating and engaged.
I try to get to know my students and determine how they learn and then try to teach to them in a style that makes it easier for them. I try to let my passion for my field show so they can see how excited I am about this field and hopefully excites them as well. I also think it's important to know your subject and research and try to add to your knowledge all the time.
Many of the comments and examples discussed in these learning modules seem heavily favored in a traditional school environment (several weeks of instruction or even a year). My challenge is taking these module inputs and adjusting them to fit into a very short time frame (less than two weeks). Reading students attitudes and abilities must be done on the 'fly' - there isn't time to 'chat' (unless on a short break) - and about the time I am 'tuned in' to my current class - they depart and a new one moves in. I do use student feedback to modify future class presentation and discussion. I empathize with Malone's setting. It calls for constant adjustment.
Learning to understand the student's needs in a larger group is something I want to work on more. I have noted that the quicker I am able to read the needs of the class as a group the better I am able to provide the instructional method to help them succeed. This requires that I sometimes move out of my comfort zone and try new things that are still "me" but maybe not my normal routine.
In having to engage students in both in lecture and lab based settings different I attempt to use different strategies to engage students on a more individual level. In lecture something as simple as calling all students by name is a simple way I have found to simply engage them and bring them into a conversation, or using their name when referring to an idea or comment that was made earlier in class that is relevant to what is currently being discussed. In a lab based setting it is important to engage each student individually and bring the work to a level at which they grasp and understand the concept using any type of comparisons or visual aids needed.
Katherine,
I know you will like the results you get from this approach.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think it starts with development of course knowledge. The more comfortable I am with the content, the more the course flows. Also, demonstrating to the students that you can answer ANY question they have motivates them to listen to what you say. A good instructional style comes from preparation, which promotes confidence, which then promotes student trust.
I will use more of the mini lectures during class. keeping students engaged the whole time can be a challenge
