I would like to be able to quickly identify students learning styles so I can help them succeed.
Participate in forums such as this to network with other instructors and pick up tips that worked well or need improvement. Also consider my personal experience as a student. What worked well motivating me, especially because I was an adult learner who changed careers (like some of my students).
Hi Dori,
This is a fine because you are trying to gain experience while you developing your instructional delivery abilities. This lets you buy some time while expanding your understanding of how to efficient in your teaching.
Gary
I like to attend educational conferences. This helps me in two ways. I learn about the topic being presented and I also am able observe the instructor and learn from their instructional style.
I am also very new to teaching and rely on the power point provided with the text. I often feel this probably isn't the most informative approach but is a helpful resource to me. It is a starting point especially when I am feeling overwhelmed and don't know where to start.
Reviewing other activities that colleagues share or present, using instructional materials such as this and attending faculty inservices are all helpful ways to learn effective instructional abilities
Hi Arturo,
All strategies for keeping your professional development moving forward. This will result in more effective and efficient instruction on your part and increased learning by your students.
Gary
Be aware of the prior knowledge of learners. Build on what they bring on the table.
Would find it helpful by asking other Instructors diff questions about how they would teach and/or ask diff questions to students and Listen to what they have to say...
Read books and/or magazines on diff teaching methods also continue reading magazines and attending seminars in my Technical field so i can continue to be up to date on all the latest advances.
I agree today's students want, and need to be active in there learning. I personally learn much better this way. I have found that one way to achieve active learning is by thinking of classroom time more as a two way conversation, in which both parties have the ablity, and are expected to input.
Liz,
I agree also with your dilemma. I don't think it is a good idea to copy someone else's style but to pick out the attributes you think might help you and then decide if they fit into your own personal style. I've taught school aged to elderly adults and they all have different learning styles.
Always keeping aware of any external information you run acroos for the purpose of enhancing want you can offer to the students.
Hi Renate,
Great attitude about both your profession and your students. I know your students benefit from your preparation and effort to excite them about nursing. You are creating a legacy for both you field and your students.
Gary
Ask question, share knowledge and listen to others
As a nursing instructor I lecture and also have to do clinical with students. Expanding my abilities is continuing to learn new ways of teaching and therefore motivating the students. I really love my profession and I would like to give this love to my students.
I find that observation can be one of the best ways. Getting feedback from your peers. Also using a video camera to tape a session will also help you to determine what you are doing well and not so well. Most importantly I try to look to the students facial and body language to tell me if I am going down the right track.
A way to expand your instructional abilities is to observe other classes, and talk with fellow instructors. We have been doing that a lot here and it is good to here others teachers inputs.
When playing "games" (bingo, jeopardy, etc..) is it appropriate to have prizes for adult learners? And if so, what types of things are appropriate? Kathryn Stopfer
Speaking with other instructors that have taught the course I am currently teaching. I am teaching a terminology class which is very lecture-based making it difficult to try to vary the learning style as much as I would like to. The other instructos have given me ideas and I have tried to be creative too!
Practice!
Observing others
Professional Development opportunities
