Your Instructional Style
What techniques can you employ to further develop, refine and enhance your instructional style?
One of the things I always do is ask the students for input at the end of the session. I think that their comments are one of the best ways to improve.
Hi Dreena,
Good strategies for getting students settled into courses and ready to learn. Also, listening and observing other instructors helps to see different ways instruction can be delivered.
Gary
I think learning your audience is paramount, which means taking time in that very first class to get to know your students!!!
Students as the center of the learning environment require that teachers take a different attitude and a new way of relating to students. Observantly, effective teachers are comfortable with both the cognitive method and affective domain of teaching. My goal has been to encourage student relationships by being available to students, excited to be in class with them, share what’s relevant and happening in and about our lives. Mainly the goal has been to instructionally invest the time it takes to prepare meaningful activities.
I AGREE WITH THE POWER POINT...BORING AND IT'S NOT WHAT THEY ARE PAYING FOR. YOU SHOULD NOT USE THEM EVERY NIGHT IN CLASS. I FIND THAT GAMES AND ROLE PLAYING ARE FUN AND IT GIVES YOU A CHANCE TO SIT AND OBSERVE THEIR STYLE OF DELIVERING WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN TAUGHT.
I have drawn on my past relationships with the many classes, instructors & life experiences to find my style. I use relaxation techniques before exams & humor for levity while the students are learning the material presented to them. The technique that I have been using to enhance my style has been listening to the needs of each individual student & class. This has helped me to rewrite many lectures and formulate artistic & visual teaching tools.
It is very courageous and shows your openness to growth to admit a flaw...very cool!
Creating hybrids of my teaching methods with that of other instructors has been most helpful. It has provided variety and an exciting approach to my subject. Utilizing other teaching methods has become a way to keep the subject fresh, for myself, given I teach it often. This also has produced interesting outcomes and dialog amongst the class as well.
Hi Radeline,
You have a very good start in your professional development as an educator. You are doing the right things to expand your expertise and knowledge about learning and how to impact students. Welcome to teaching. I wish you much success in all your instructional efforts.
Gary
Hi Barbara,
Good way to approach instruction. This way you will continue to grow in your delivery and instructional expertise.
Gary
Since i'm new to teaching, i tried to read more about teaching and learning. Also, i try to learn from other instructors.Also to stay updated on the current trends in my field by attending inservice and taking continuing education classes and share what i learned with my students. I try to be unpredictable with my students and surprise them with simple to complex tasks to make encourage them to come prepared and to reinforce the things they learned from the class.
i like to get a few different teaching methods from instructors that have taught the same subject i sm teaching and use it and then put in my own ideas to fit my teaching method for my students.
One way to improve my instructional style is to assess every class differently.Sometimes I may get a class who,for the majority,respond better to written notes,while others respond better to the spoken lecture alone.Others may like pictures and diagrams.So,whenever I start a new class,I assess the class after a couple of weeks,and add the appropriate "mixture" of each.This allows me to improve with every class.
Developing and refining instructional style is an ongoing process. An instructor should keep reading what the experts have to say--continuing education. Keep attending classes oneself to stay fresh and avoid stagnancy. Get student feedback. You may think your style is effective but students may tell you otherwise. Or they may compliment you on a job well done. Seek out other professionals and find out what they are doing and see if they like what you are doing. Ask them for constructive criticism.
I am constantly using stories from my career in the ER to help bring home topics we discuss to give the students a real life visual of the content. I also use funny or outrageous tales from the ER to keep the students interested and wanting to return to the class each week.
Hi Niani,
This is a good strategy to follow because you enter the class the next day full of confidence about what you are going to teach. This review process helps you to be able to introduce new information on an as needed basis as well.
Gary
Hi Connie,
Good advice for all instructors to follow. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
I like to review all my materials the day before even though I've taught it before. When I do, I sometimes get a fresh perspective on the topic.
Know your material -- talk with students and other faculty -- take self-improvement classes -- don't be a know-it-all -- talk to the students as adults not children in the college level -- let the students have fun while learning -- give them ideas on how to use their knowledge -- I am still learning and will always be learning something new each day and sometimes from my students
