Hi Rachel,
I agree with your point about learning from more experienced instructors. I always enjoy sitting in on a class because I know I will be able to take away something that I can use in my own class.
Gary
I also find it very beneficial to sit in on an experienced instructors class. If I am familiar with the information but not familiar with the format that it is being presented, it is a great asset to have someone to model after. As instructors one of our loves is sharing the knowledge that we have been gifted with and so I have never had any issues with more experienced instructors being unwilling to share their information with me.
Hi Diana,
I agree with you about observing other instructors. I do this as often as I can and I, like you never fail to have some kind of "take away" from my observation. Way to keep professional development moving forward.
Gary
Hello, Gary.
One way I try to do this is by observing other instructors, even if they are in a different field. It's frankly hard to find time but I almost always come away with a new insight.
Reflection is also important, going back and thinking about a class I felt good about, or one that "bombed". Working at being very honest with myself so that I can be more effective.
One way you can expand your insturctional abilities to maintain current information on licensure and certification
taking classes, seminars, workshops in person or online
I teach a computer lab and a software program, and one of the challenges is to have all the students keep up the pace. I try to break down the class into small segments to allow students to more or less remain together as we progress through the materials. I talk to other instructors and talk to collegues that have taken computer classes to learn more about what seems to work and what doesn't.
By taking contnuing educational courses where you are shown ways and different techniques to bring to your clalss room
Taking this course and printing many of the lesson plans will help me with my instructional abilities. It also validated many things I already to in my classroom scenerios.
Ways to expand you instructional abilities include not only using the textbook but additional articles, additional information, additional web sites that enhance and further add to the students education and knowledge. Using power point, and current information serve the purpose of having up to daye information on things that change quickly.
I have actually sat in on fellow instructor's classes to see their teaching styles and the response of the students. I am able to take away good classroom points that I can adjust to my style. Additionally, I also carefully read my student reviews and take a close realistic view of what I may be doing wrong and how I could improve my instructional delivery.
One valuable tool instructors can use is the end of course feedback form that allows student to give honest feedback to the instructor on suggestions for improving the learning aspect for that particular course and instructional delivery.
It is important to stay aware of the students ever changing needs. In my eight years of experience in the field of post secondary education, I realize that I have to change my teaching techniques and styles. As the adult learner has many challenges their level of stress changes causing the student to focus on the problem or concern at hand. I change my methods of delivery to try and ensure that I keep all students engaged at all times.
I believe reading and keeping updated with topics that I will be teaching will assist in giving instructions to my students.
Strong observation of what is proven to be effective for learning in associated groups and emulating the delivery/activities.
I think that incorporating active learning activities contributes significantly to student attention during a lesson and student retention after the lesson is done. When students actively participate in their own educational process, they derive much more from the experience. I try to utilize group learning and interactive technology as much as possible in my classes.
In the past, I have asked students to self-assess and identify their own learning styles. In physical therapy MOST of them say they are "hands-on"learners, but many are visual learners as well.
Hi Jonathon,
A quick Google search will give you a number of sites where you can get so quick and easy to use learning preference assessments. A way to get a general idea of the learning styles among your students is to ask them questions using the different learning style categories.
As "How many students prefer to read directions and information on how to assemble a toy?" (Reading preference)
"How many students like to have someone explain how to assemble a toy to them?" (Auditory preference)
"How many students like to just start in putting together a toy and looking at the ways the parts fit together." (tactile preference)
"How many students would like to look at pictures of how the toy should be assembled?" (visual preference).
These simple questions will give an idea of how the students separate into the different learning style groups and you can then look at your instructional delivery strategies and see if you are providing learning opportunities in these different preference areas.
Gary
I can take courses to help develop and train as an instructor.
I can further develop in my roles as mentor/model, manager and motivator.
I can also improve my instructional abilities by working on pre-class organization and preparation.
I will continue to reflect on past experiences, observe others and become more familiar with the college, its mission and philosophy and the students with whom I will be taking this ongoing journey.
