I have learned to ask advice from other instructors. Sometimes just getting input from someone outside of the situation helps.
Hi Charles,
This is a problem that many instructors experience. I use a pretest assessment to get a baseline on my students and that really helps me to know where to start with a new group of students. You are on the right track with your approach. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Hi Carla,
I am assuming that with your research and professional development efforts you have identified the basic delivery formats for your students. In addition, to these I would suggest the use of learning groups, case studies, competitive games between teams and student presentations. All of these offer variety to the students while reinforcing learning.
If you have any further questions let me know and I will be glad to help in anyway I can.
I wish you the best in your teaching.
Gary
Interesting question! I really need to focus more on assessing my students at the beginning of the course in order to plan the pacing of the material. There has been times I "forget" where and who I'm instructing and will "go off the deep end" with material that I'm well versed in, but in reality I left my students scratching their heads.
I have done research on the internet, gotten feedback from department chair, students etc,and used trial and error. I also think that inservices, seminars, online courses and other instructional learning tools would be helpful. I struggle with presenting material in different ways that students find engaging and enhance learning. What specific resources would recommend?
In-Service sessions / faculty training in which experience among faculty is shared and discussed and new teaching tools are presented.
Depending on what kind of learner you are, would determine the best way. If you are a better visual learner observing other instructors can be a great way to learn what to do and what not to do. Video taping yourself can help as well, sometime you don't notice that you are repeating the same phrase or making the same gestures.
Hi Richard,
You are right on in your development of ways to make the content interesting. Real life situations and current events that reflect on the subject matter are good ways to help make it real for students.
Gary
I too am new as an instructor in a difficult course - macroeconomics. Since much of this course is lecture, I am constantly looking for ways to enhance the enjoyment (fun quotient)for the students. I have tried several games dealing with economics butcontinue to strive to bring in real life situations into the classroom to let the students deal with current economic issues.
Step outside of your comfort zone. Sometimes we encounter difficulties in delivering material and stick with the same routine,which is likely less interesting to the audience and lacks the interest holding information which is key to effective learning. Try something that works well for another instructor and then figure out how to make the new process your own.
Melanie, I think your list is terrific and includes a lot of opportunity for growth.
Your last statement about observing a peer instructor strikes me as particularly interesting as its a tool I feel we use too infrequently in many schools. For instance, speaking with my 2nd grader's teacher the other day, I was completely shocked to find out that our local k-12 system does not encourage or provide classroom coverage for teachers who want to observe and participate in peer review.
I think peer observations are terrific way for the instructors involved to pick up useful tools. Especially if coupled with a trusting, empowering workplace culture where the instructors are focused on improving student service rather than self-promotion.
Hi Michelle,
Today's students want to be active learners like you mention. They need to see relevance and application if they are going to stay engaged so by offering different activities you can make that happen and you are through the strategies you shared.
Gary
Good idea David. Students need to know we are not all-knowing, but we do need to know how to find the anwers. Students today are better at looking up questions online and should be encouraged to find answers to questions. I always liked when instructors made it a game to find the best explaination for a question posed in class. With all the advances in health care today, it is impossible for a nurse to know everything so I teach my students to be good researchers.
Another way to work around short attention spans is to present material in multiple learning styles. Logical learners need to see the objectives and follow a specific path, while interpersonal learners need to communicate with others to absorb information. As a naturalistic and existential learner I learn best outdoors, so short discussions outside benefit me, and I need to be able to view the new information as a whole. Existential learners ask the why question and want to know how the information applies to their life and their understanding of existance.
Active learning is the best way for adults to learn. I was a good student throughout college but had a tendency to daydream when lectures droned on. Making student learning the center of attention engages the students and encourages participation. If students are frequently asked to participate, they are more likely to pay attention to the information presented. The typlical lecture and note taking are a thing of the past.
Hi Melanie,
These are great ways to enhance your knowledge of instructional planning and delivery. Each one of this will add to your expertise in a unique way. You are going to reap many benefits from these efforts.
Gary
I try to do a variety of things to expand my instructional abilities. Some of those things include:
1. Speaking with colleagues. I find that just talking to someone who is or who has taught the same class before can be very helpful. We exchange ideas about what works well and what doesn't seem to work well with the students.
2. Getting evaluated by a department chair. I find that these evaluations are also useful because having someone come into my classroom adds another dimension to my own self-evaluation. The department chair can offer words of encouragement as well as point out areas of improvement.
3. Reading articles on current trends in my field. I teach writing, so I'm always on the lookout for articles about my subject area. I've gotten quite a few ideas about assignments, ways to present information, etc. from keeping up-to-date on the current trends in composition instruction.
I've been thinking lately about observing another instructor who's teaching the same course as I am. I think that would benefit my instructional ability because I could see how someone else presents the same information that I do.
Hi Awatef,
Yes it is. How to you go about getting feedback from other instructors in your college?
Gary
It is good if we get the feedback from the other instructors.
Hi John,
Good plan in terms of learning from others. Why struggle to create something that has already been done when you can take it and refine it for your own use. This makes it even better. I encourage instructors to be on the lookout for strategies that they can use in their settings to make their instructional delivery stronger and more impacting.
Gary
