Hi Melissa,
Welcome to teaching. I wish you much success as you move through your career as a professional educator. I can tell from your comments that you are excited about having the chance to impact the lives of your students while helping them achieve their career goals.
Gary
The techniques that I use to refine and enhance my instruction style are: First, I make my students comfortable by showing them that learning begins with the acknowlegement that they don't know everything and should have an open mind. Second, I try to ease their fear of rejection of not knowing an answer, here it is important to show them that this is not a rejection but a communication between instructor and student to open the learning channel. I welcome wrong answers. Other classmates that are afraid to answers will learn. Lastly I try to make my classroom a friendly environment.
Hi
I teach computer classes, and I find that the traditional students have a fear of computers due to fact that they didn't use computers. I like to motivate them by encouraging them that learning begins the first day of class and that is why they are they went back to school. Don't be afraid of what knowledge other have, start by acknowledging where your knowledge level is and grow from their with the help of course material, other students and especially myself. I am willing to work one on one to bring their skill level to complete the course
As a new instructor, I look forward to taking classes on improving my teaching skills and being able to put them in the class rooom. By giving my students the chance to write about their experience in the class room, will help me find out about area's of my teaching that needs improving. I believe by creating a professional classroom and working lab enviroment will help the students as well. Having the experience I do, I can relate that to the students and hopefully learn way to improve.
Hi Deborah,
Having fun and helping the students to interact with each other is very important. Doing an ice breaker at the beginning of a new course can really help everyone to get settled into the course.
Gary
Hi Joel,
So true if you are going to effective in the different settings and with the different student populations. Good point for us all to remember as move throughout our teaching settings.
Gary
Hi Deborah,
Yes, use as many as you can because students want and need variety in their learning sequence. This will keep them engaged at a higher level.
Gary
I teach at a few different schools, community college and private and I find myself needing to alter my style of teaching with both of them. I've also found that you need to adjust your teaching style with the particular mood your class happens to be on any given day
find fun ways to get the students settled into the course and feeling comfortable about being there. As you know this is so important on the first day.
Use more interactive types of learning, such as role playing, demonstrations, and educational games. we can do a lot for motivating the students that is the key.
Hi Norman,
Good suggestions on how to start the class and brighten it up. Little things like a joke or a current event can set the tone for a good class. I often tell my students a really bad joke and they all groan. After I tell them several of these they start to bring them in and share them with the class and we all groan and laugh and then move into the class. It is fun and we have something in common that is not related to the class and that helps to get everyone settled into the course for that day.
Gary
Hi Cynthia,
What a great list of instructional opportunities you are going to take advantage of next term. Your growth curve is steep but think about how much success you are going to have next term with all the things you are going to do. I wish you much teaching success.
Gary
Hi May,
Welcome to teaching. I wish you much success in this new career choice. You have a good start on developing your instructional style. Keep being true to yourself and your students and you will do fine.
Gary
Hi Kevin,
Your instructional style is the way you convey the course content with the greatest results. This means your students are engaged, focused and learning. Your style is one that supports their learning and they respect and respond to.
Gary
Hi Kevin,
If you can do so. They really get the students ramped up and excited about their field. Also, bring guest speakers, especially graduates to talk to your students. You will get great results from them coming into your classes.
Gary
Hi Rachelle,
You have a good start on your professional development plan. Keep up the good work. I know you are going to enjoy the growth you get as your expand your instructional expertise.
Gary
First, I would set a goal – determine what area I can improve upon. Second, I would choose one achievable method to reach that goal. Third, I would determine a timeline for performing and measuring this method. Fourth, I would analyze the data, draw a conclusion about my results, analyze the success or failure of the methods used and refine my goal or methods until a successful method is achieved and the goal is reached.
For example, I would like to improve upon my lecture delivery and content by producing “less power point” slides per lecture.
Goal: Improve upon content delivery, do not over saturate students with data, therefore allowing for engaged discussion and participation from the class. Method: Decrease number of slides to 16/lecture/day for one quarter. Measures: Did I hit all of the lecture objectives, Did I inform the students about the important points to be learned, Were the students engaged and able to apply the lecture content to real world problems. Did I make full use of the classroom time? Analyze the data: Objectives met/not met. Analyze what areas were successful in meeting the objectives and areas of weakness prevented success. I would then establish and refine new goals for continuous quality improvement in my instructional style improvement plan.
Dr. Meers,
I find I need to be flexible depending on the mood of the class. Certain classes seem to do better with a looser more relaxed style whereas certain classes prefer a bit more structured approach. So, not only does each student have their personality, the class as a whole does as well.
Lately, we have had so many gloomy days, that most of my classes liked a bit of lightness to start the class. Maybe a famous aniversary or birthday or an interesting news item from the local press just to provide some sunshine on an otherwise gray day.
After watching segment one of the video, I realized that I made many assumptions about the materials my students had and what they had access to. For example, I just "assumed" every student had a trial copy of Office 2010 and had installed or already had access to the software. I need to refine how the course is introduced ensure all students have want the need to be successful in the course which begins with making sure they have the software and know how to load software etc. Also, I usually make it to class on time or a little after and spend 5-10 mintues setting up for class and I didn't really think about it but after watching the video it made me think about how that sets the tone of the class. Good thing the term just ended and I have two weeks to prepare for the next class and implement some of the strategies.
Great idea!!!!!!!!
Within the required syllabus, this survey would be an excellent way to add flexibility and a learner centered approach to improving the course.
