thank you for this, I'm new to teaching and am still wrapping my head around how to mentally prepare myself for class each morning.
Chanda,
As a new instructor you have a very clear grasp of what it takes to engage students and you are working hard to set the environment in place to help the students acquire the needed content. Good start on your new career as a teacher.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I like to relate current events to the subject matter that I am delivering. As an example in teaching a criminal justice report writing class, I displayed the arrest report of a popular music entertainer. While engaging the students interest because they wanted to know what the report said, I was also able to point out both positives and negatives in the manner in which the report was written.
I am a new instructor teaching classes that I am familair with from work experience. What I need to do is work on my preparation time. Researching topics for discussion with my classes is something I have found works well. Current topics tied in with curriculum content is a great conversation piece and a good way to pull the students in class that don't participate well into the conversation.
Mark,
I really like approach to your professional development as an educator. You have a vast and varied experience base from which you can draw as well as your willingness to learn from all those in whom you come in contact.
You make a good point about seeking educational strategies from non-traditional settings such as the baseball training clinic. Education is education and seeking to learn how to more effectively communicate content and skills to students can be acquired from numerous sources.
I know you are going to have a most rewarding and productive career as an educator.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I'm new to the college instruction scene, having worked in the IT industry for 25 years. My approach is to apply techniques learned from coaching baseball to teaching college students in the classroom. As with any teaching, before learning can begin, I feel that you must first establish a level of trust with your students. They need to know that you are there for them. Not to judge, but to assist them in grasping and retaining the material. I'm completely honest with them and expect them to be honest with me. They must also see you as an authority figure and someone that is knowlegdeable in the subject matter area. I want them perceive me as someone that that can help them achieve their goals.
My instructional approach deals with planning, organization, repetition and variety. If able, I plan the entire course before it begins. By determining and establishing this timeline, I'm able to assess my progress through the material and make adjustments if necessary. I know before each class starts, what my daily goals are and how I plan to accomplish them. By performing assigned reading, listening to lecture, participating in classroom discussions, completing in class labs, doing practice exercises at home, and taking quizes and exams, the students are exposed to the material up to seven times via multiple formats.
In order to develop, refine and enhance my style, I review and assess the effectiveness of my teaching at the completion of each term.
Throughout the term, I also try to make adjustments in time management, course content, and course flow based on my observations of the current class. Some area require more time than others, especially if some students are struggling. Observations are fine, but direct feedback from the students is even better. I frequently ask them for feedback. This allows me to tailor the course to better meet their needs. Within reason of course.
Every month our institution offers faculty development seminars. I make it a practice to attend as many of these as possible, regardless of subject matter. Even discussion on seemingly unrelated topics can offer solutions to issues that you've encountered in your own classroom.
Another resource is other instructors. They are usually more than willing to answer any questions that I might have on teaching approaches and conflict resolution.
Of course, on-line training is also an option that I'm exploring to help refine and enhance my instructional style. Having no formal training in education, these course are invaluable to my understanding of different approaches and the psychology of teaching and learning.
I also explore non-traditional sources of information. An example could be attending a baseball training clinic. Sure the subject matter may be different, but the organized and logical approach to teaching is still present. You never know where inspiration will hit you and you discover a technique that could be used in the classroom. I try to keep an open mind, so that I'm receptive to different ideas and approaches as I encounter them.
Finally, I'm always looking for ways to keep it fresh. If I'm bored in a certain area of the text, then I figure that my students will be bored there as well. An example of this is that I show the students some MS Office tricks or techniques that they can use in other classes or their work environment. It's like teaching your team a trick play. It captures their interest because they can see the potential that it has to help them in the future, plus it's fun to learn something unusual and different. Variety is the spice of life. Mix it up. Both you and your students will enjoy it.
Mayra,
Keep looking for such opportunities to change the pace and flow of your class and as you gain more experience you will get comfortable with integrating these different instructional support.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Diana,
We have two courses in the MaxKnowledge library of courses dealing with the use of social networks that might help you expand your expertise and use in this area.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I am still in the process of developing my instructional style. Though I enjoy lecturing I often feel that I need more time to show a video, do an activity and have discussions. I would love to have my class more actively involved.
doing good preparation in different types to meet all types of students so all can be involved and participate in the education process and make them more involved in the materials discussed
I would like to develop my technical skills to allowing me to meet my students in an internet type environment. Today's students are all about social networking. I would like to learn more techniques that might excite my students more while they are learning the material.
I like this advice - it is more important to keep the students involved and engaged in the content so the student can be successful in your course.
Eugene,
This is a good way to expand both your knowledge and expertise as an educator. You can make observations like this a part of your regular professional development.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
learn from more experienced instructors and adapt effective qualities into my own style.
I can think of two immediate ways to improve my Instructional Style.
One would be to make better use of the video equipment installed in our classrooms. I use them to a certain extent but could do more. I have noticed that some lessons taught using this technique really stick with the students.
A second would be to get the students to spend some time in front of the class using the white-board. Some are hesitant to begin with but get over it quickly.
I am sure there are many other improvements I can make but these two come quickly to mind.
Two areas for improvement come to mind.
One is to make better use of the video equipment in the classroom. I use it in a few presentations but with some searching could certainly find many other "you-tube" etc. teaching videos to further explain the task at hand.
I have noticed that the video lessons I use really seem to take root with the students. Perhaps the do learn more easily through what the watch then what they hear.
A second is to get more involvement from the students up on the "chalk/white" board. While they are hesitant at first, they do grow more comfortable being in front of the class.
I personally like to take notes after each and every lesson. Even if it is a quick few sentences on what worked well in the lesson plan, what needs to be changed. I find that immediate 5 minute reflection is very beneficial the next time I teach that lesson.
Cynthia,
So true and so critical for teaching success.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Carmen,
Good advice for all instructors to remember as they get ready to go into class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Absolutely! Students feel confident when they know that their instructor has a direction and a plan. Preparation is imperative!
