Instructional Style
What are some tips that you would give to new instructors to when they are having trouble finding their instructional style?
Pearlmarie,
Thanks for sharing this resource with us. I know it will be of help to many other instructors.
Gary
There are a number of quick informal instruments available to assess your learning/teaching style. The text Cleveland uses for the Student Success course has an excellent chapter on such that includes a Learning Style Inventory.
Courage
It takes courage to try something new, so I try to imagine what style would yield the best possible outcome for the students, then I plan using new styles and try to imagine it's for the benefit of a new instructor, or for 'someone else'. Then I make a plan for myself and practice whenever possible before execution in front of a live class.
I agree with Charlena having a sense of humor and using previous experience to connect with your students is important for your teaching lessons to
be delivered.
Kate,
Good advice for professional development. This will give an instructor a much larger perspective on how to be an effective instructor.
Gary
I would also recommend getting into another classroom to observe other instructors. See if you can evaluate their style, rather than just the content. I found this was easiest when I was either very familiar with a topic or not very interested in the topic.
One of the methods that I observed as a developing instructor is referred to as "whole-part-whole" delivery. First, summarize the topic as a whole. Then break it down into parts. Then finish by reviewing/summarizing from the overall perspective again.
I also noticed that some instructors started giving information out immediately, while others were silently demonstrating what they would teach that day and asked students to observe first, then ask questions. I tend to give information first, but I really enjoyed being a student in the class where we silently observed first.
Charlena,
First know yourself. Identify your strengths as the apply to teaching, for example you have a good sense of humor or you are an effective story teller. The look at the content and identify what you think the best ways are to deliver the information. Develop a lesson using your personality strengths, previous experience and human connection abilities and see how the lesson goes. After the lesson jot down notes on how things went and where you want to make changes. This list will serve as as guide as you start inserting your personality into your instructional style. Before long you will find your style and comfort level an an instructor.
Gary
