Read current educational methodology articles and discuss teaching strategies with seasoned faculty.
Hi Daniel,
Good suggestions all for expanding your expertise and knowledge of instructional strategies and methods. If all instructors were striving to find resources as you are doing then I am sure that the quality of instruction would greatly improve.
Gary
Some ways in which I, as well as others, can expand my instructional abilities are through courses such as this. In addition, participation in seminars, conferences, and other such colleague forums are wonderful ways to expand knowldege and understanding of the most effective ways to instruct students. Continuing education courses of all kinds help to keep instructors abreast of the best tools, methods, and styles of teaching/learning. A good friend and librarian once told me that everything you need to know can be found in a library -- somewhere. Well, I know for a fact that there are numerous, top notch published resources such as books and journals concerning the best instructional methods. Finally, an open mind and positive attitude go a loooooong way when expanding any type of individual abilities!!!
Hi Kessie,
This is good advice for all instructors. The challenge is to do it with all the time commitments and responsibilities that come with teaching. We need to have professional development plans for ourselves so we make sure we continue to develop our skills just like our students.
Gary
I think the best way to expand our instructional abilities is by keeping ourselves up to date in the field we teach for. For instance, I teach graphic design, and I am very active in what is going on in the design field. What new software is out there, what are the new trends and so on. I take training courses, go to seminars, workshops and more. This will allow me to bring more knowledge to offer into the class, and that students appreciate very much.
- keep current in your discipline
- educated yourself on new teaching strategies
- networking with other instructors
- knowing your student's needs
Hi William,
You have great ideas for bringing variety and balance to your classroom. The offering of different tempo music is a great way to set the stage for the activities that you are doing with your students. Keep up the good work because you have a wonderful teaching plan going for you.
Gary
Hi Denise,
What a rich and varied background you have to bring to the classroom. I am sure that your students really become engaged when you start sharing some of your experiences with them. Between varied instructional delivery and life experiences you will be able to keep the students engaged and focused on learning.
Gary
It is desirable to keep it new and fresh because although you have taught it many times, it is the FIRST TIME for the students and their first impressions (positive or negative) are crucial. First impressions set the tone for the following sessions.
Bring in outside material, speakers, prior students or try team teaching? Show the good examples and the bad examples (to learn from them as well).
Lastly, auditory, visual and hands-on should all be used, if possible. I even sometimes use light background music as appropriate. For example, light music (Pandora.com) for thinking or group activities and more upbeat music for starters or breaks.
I have taught childbirth classes for 12 years and vocational nursing school for 2 years. This course reminded me to be more aware of the various learning styles of students and to develop more creative ways of presenting lecture.
Succinctly, never quit learning. There always new ideas, theories, case studies, and techniques that can possibly be introduced into the learning environment with some review, study and preparation...and likely trial and error.
I think reflection and continued professional development are key.
I try to expand my instructional abilities through learning new technology (which I am not very good at) and through professional development. Professional development includes the courses I just completed to earn my master degree and additional certifications.
Instructional abilities can be expanded by keeping informed with all the updates and changes in your subject matter, by taking on line courses like this one, by attending all inservice activities. Self assessment and a professional plan for development with clearly defined goals.
Instructional abilities can be expanded by keeping informed with all updates and changes in your subject matter, by taking on line courses like this one, by attemding all inservice activities. Self assessment and a professional plan for development with goals.
Thanks for the comments. I think when the teacher adds new stuff each time it helps with integrety and also aids in the students not being able to copy from one term to the next.
Hi Paul,
Good way to stay current plus it is a lot of fun to learn about all the new stuff being brought out in the field. So the student benefit from your new knowledge while you benefit from knowing you know about the latest and greatest stuff.
Gary
Hi Joanna,
I like your last sentence about the need for continual professional development. I have been a teacher for many years and yet each time I teach a course I try to incorporate something new or different to make my delivery even more effective. In addition, the addition of new and/or different items in the course help to keep me engaged and excited about teaching the course so I don't become bored and teach the content in a routine way.
Gary
Exploring information about new technology in the field. The easiest way to do this is to search the Internet. The field I am instructing in has a variety of electrical and electronic equipment that is constantly changing and improving so the opportunities for learning are great.
There are many ways in which you can expand your instructional abilities, the key is to find what fits well with you, your campus, and the courses you are teaching.
There are professional organizations which offer reading matterial, webinars, and the ability to network with others in the same field. The campus offers in-services and other professional developement programs; both training and lectures. Another way is observe and discuss topics with other instructions and learn from them.
The key is to find where you are lacking and seek ways to improve your skills. It is also important to note that no matter where we are in our careers we all need to develope our abilites.
