Get Your Students Hired
I believe I should spend additional time in my prep work and practice more in front of someone.V-. Though, I have become comfortable in front of the classroom; however, I would like to become less of a lecturer and more of a facilitator. This would require a strong knowledge base of what I am teaching, hence, more prep time. I believe my experience in my field is strong, but relaying the information to students who are novices in the field I must be able to simplify the subjects to their educational level.
I know that,for me, I need to improve my computer skills. Although I have come a long way, there is still so much I need to learn. I use power points more often, and I have students insert hyperlinks on certain papers, and I show them how to do that. I need to learn how to create a course online. I had much difficulty with that, and I want to stay marketable.
Stacy
Hi Patricia,
You have a great attitude about professional development. You want to add to your expertise as an instructional delivery expert. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I talk with other instructors, I keep up on the lastest in my field although that is sometimes the easy part since I am still working in the field. I enjoy training such as this to see what others are doing and it is also interesting to go to other classes and watch teachers. We share a lot here and that is helpful for a newer instructor such as myself.
Hi Faten,
Great way to continue your professional improvement. You are receiving input from a variety of sources and this will help you to add expertise and variety to your delivery.
Gary
I can expand instructional abilities by knowing and keeping up to date with new developments in my field. Also, one could benefit from watching the instructional style of other instructors and listening to feedback from my students in their evaluations. In addition to evaluations, we do a lot of role plays in my classes. Watching to see if the students are applying the concepts correctly tells me a lot about my instructional ability and I can improve based on that.
Hi Rachel,
The key in professional development is to be award of the learning needs of your students and you are doing just that by staying current and listening to them. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Hi Michael,
All good examples of how you are staying responsive to the learning needs of your students. They are looking to you for the leadership it takes for them to be successful in the class. By providing that you are being the model they need for the field.
Gary
I end all lectures with "are there any comments, questions, concerns, or opinions? I also ask my students "what could I have done different"? I take a hard look at all the responses. I also stay current on changes in the field.
continuing to expand my knowledge on my field of as a patient care instructor, by reading updated information, ensuring that I speak with other educators. I also need to ensure that I continually review my lesson plan and my learning techniques
Hi Diane,
Great to hear about the wonderful role models you have had in your educational career. By having these folks as examples I know your own professional development has been enhanced.
Gary
I have been able to expand my instructional abilitites by taking Educational Methodology courses. These courses have many instructors who think, pair and share ideas on thier instructional style. Coupled with that, I learned from my instructors in Graduate school who were wonderful role models.
Hi Jacqueline,
Great to hear! This is how professional and personal growth is made. Keep building that confidence and challenging yourself to try new instructional strategies. You are well on your way to becoming an excellent instructional delivery specialist.
Gary
Started out with just the required continuing education hours required, but now I am realizing that being in organizations and taking classes and courses above than what's required is quite beneficial and enjoyable.
I never wanted to limit myself, but I was, and didn't even know it.
The more I know is quite challenging and makes me be more confident and knowledgeable for other aspects of teaching.
Hi All,
One way to expand my instructional abilities is to be willing to learn new technologies. For example, when I teach face-to-face, I can use some online features to help my students learn. This can be in the form of Blackboard. This is an online feature that allows me to keep a gradebook, provide feedback, and upload documents that will help the student prepare for their exams. I've never used this before, but I am keeping an open mind and learn this technology. I think once I learn this application, other ideas will come to mind of how I can facilitate learning in and outside of my classroom.
I too feel that way. Every class that I teach is different and new approaches need to be taken at times to actually keep the class as a captive audience.
I look at different ways to expand my abilities not just by observing other instructors but by evaluating past instructors that I have had and taking some of their techniques that were successful. Another way that I try to expand my instructional abilities is to observe my students and talk with my students to find out what I have done works for them and what has not.
I have found that observing other professional instructors in my field has always worked well. Staying current with technology and working in the field is a great help. Last but not least, be comfortable with yourself and know your strengths and weaknesses and realize that there is always room for improvement no matter how long you’ve been doing it.
My instructional abilities can be expanded by acquiring new knowledge and improving teaching skills. In order to obtain knowledge, I read scholarly journals, trade publications, popular magazines, and newspapers. This allows me to connect current events/trends to class material. I can improve my teaching skills by observing other instructors and make note of how they interact with the class and how information is disseminated. To improve my teaching skills, I try to be aware of different learning types including visual (spatial), aural (auditory-musical-rhythmic), verbal (linguistic), physical (bodily-kinesthetic), logical (mathematical), social (interpersonal), and solitary (intrapersonal) so that I can accommodate a wide variety of students.
Hi Betsy,
Good professional development plan. You are doing a great job of staying current with your field and the "best teaching practices". This will continue to benefit the students as they become engaged in the learning process in your courses.
Gary