Interaction with the students during lecture to keep them focused on the material.
Jay,
Good plan to follow as it seems that when you observe another instructor you seem to always pick up something you can use or at least that is what happens to me.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Speak with other instructors who are more experienced and discuss what techniques have worked best for them.
Mercedes,
I use Prezi as well. It is so easy to use and it flows so well from one screen to another that my students stay engaged throughout the lecture. I would recommend it to other instructors due to the ease of use and presentation format.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I enjoy using Prezi to help illustrate my topics and thoughts. The students seem to really enjoy it as well, especially as I'm able to show videos and other media easily and effectively!
Robyn,
This is a good method to use in that it takes them beyond just following procedure but also gives them an understanding as to why the procedure is being used and what the results are that are desired for the patient. This will help them in their career growth because they will be able to analyze and problem solve situations as they come up and this will make them more valuable in the workplace.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Classroom discussion and also quizzes on material help me to determine what level my students are on. I also like my students to know why they are doing things. For instance when the baby they are taking care of in the newborn nursery is jaundice I not only want them to know about the bili light but how the light works to lower the bilirubin level. If they know how things work it makes learning so much easier.
Joseph,
The connection between content and application is critical. You are fortunate that your students have iPads that enable them to have such access. This way they can stay current and keep making progress in their learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Robyn,
What are some strategies you use to determine that you are on their level and reaching their learning needs? Thanks for you input on this.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Donna,
Good strategy to follow and I know your students appreciate the personal interest you show in them in relation to drawing them out and getting their contributions into the class discussion. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Since we use iPads for everything in class, I have students find and discuss related topics in today's news that relate to our (business) topics. Make a real time connection of book theory to actual situations.
Look back at instructional techniques that I appreciated as student, partake in professional development courses where experts share their experiences and techniques. Practice new techniques before classroom implementation.
teaching my nursing students on their level instead of on a level they can not understand
Good afternoon..... When I am teaching I feel it is important to engage each student. Our classes are fairly small... we are capped at 16 students. So I have the unique ability to walk the classroom while lecturing. I engage each student so at times they may feel as though I am talking only to them.... it is so rewarding to see them light up even if I am only speaking to them for a few seconds. I just never stop walking around. This technique keeps all students engaged....you never know who is next!
Kyle,
Good plan that will result in more effective instruction and improvement for you. Also, your satisfaction will rise because you are going to be able to see the results you get with your instructional efforts.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I can further develop, refine, and enhance my instructional style by: keeping up with modern trends in education, by taking education courses, by further educating myself in the field I am teaching, and by trying to implement feedback from my bosses when they observe me and grade my instructional practices.
Jonathan,
All of these methods are good ways to expand your knowledge about how to present instruction and engage students in the learning process. The more exposure the more information you will acquire to help you be more effective and efficient and an instructor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
There are many facets to this question which involve both personal and situational components.
Each instructor has instructional style which may, or may not, he in harmony with a given student group depending upon the content of that group.
On a personal level, knowing one's strengths and the degree to which those strengths stimulate the students to learn is a key factor. Likewise, knowing which weaknesses inhibit student performance is equally important.
Watching successful instructors, who teach similar courses, and modeling their behavior as, may help to reveal strengths and talents which you did not know you had.
Another approach would be to issue an anonymous questionnaire, on a weekly basis, in order to get feedback from the students regarding your performance.
Additional factors to consider, that are more situational, are as follows:
-the age range of the class (often a good indicator maturity, but not necessarily so)
-the differences between generations with regard to learning style
-An awareness of any cultural sensitivity that could factor into the instructional methods to use
Continuing education of teaching techniques and professional attributes.
I have found that my instructional style is very visual. My students seem to like it, so I will continue to improve on this path.
