I tend to have medical students sign a contract to show them behaviors that are allowed within the medical enviorment (i.e. no false nails, proper uniforms, no lose hair, no long earrings ect.) and I enforce these behavors within the classroom.
Issy,
Talk to other instructors to get an idea of what they are doing effectively. Observe other classes to see how instructors manage the learning environment. Complete as many of these educational courses as you can so you will have a solid foundation and understanding of best practiced instructional strategies.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I use a combination of lecture, class discussion, and group work. I also like to include multimedia presentations: video, audio, and kinesthetic.
This is my first time instructing my plans were to attend various teachers classes to expand my views on conducting classes, do you have other suggestions for new to the field instructors?
Marcus,
Good for you. This type of confidence will help you to move the learning of your students forward. How do you handle questions from students for which you don't know the answer.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I involve the students in the discussion and I get their feedback. This allows me to know if they are understanding the information that I am giving them.
The acumen of my knowledge concerning the subject matter being taught gives me the confidence to handle any questions from students.
Try to build the student's self confidence, in this way it will be easier to motivate them further into doing difficult tasks.
Katherine, I really like your two truths and a fib icebreaker. I have been using the "introduce another student" method and it's pretty good but not quite as engaging. I also ask them to tell me what they expect from me so that they know I am there to meet their needs. Usually students break down into two groups: 1. I want to know everything and 2. I want to know enough to get a passing grade. This allows me to help students focus on the key material in my lectures "the meat" and for me to point out the "gravy" the fine details that will get them the A.
Ann,
I have to agree with you there. My students seem to get more out of real life stories than they do out of lectures. I try to incorporate more real life stories with my lectures to get the most information to them. That seems to be helping me a little.
Being a new instructor myself I find lecture boring just as the students do. I had to find a different method to present to my class to get thier engagement going. I found that by stopping and giving my stories and asking if they have anthing to share helps. However, this also seems to get us way off track :( Any suggestions as to keep them interested and on track?
Amber,
The key to successful teaching and learning is to build personal connections with the content. You are doing that with this approach. Your students get to see the value of this information in relation to their personal lives.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Kathleen,
Great advice for all instructors. Trying new things is what keeps the excitement level up for both the instructor and the students plus it lets instructors use their creativity.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I find it helpful to use handouts and other visual aids during lectures. I often interact with my students by asking questions to get their input and access their knowledge on the skills that are being covered. sometimes when I cant get students to volunteer and answer, I specifically ask certain students to answer, I have found this techniques helpful in getting shy students to particpate with class disscusions.
I have noticed that students comprehend better when demonstartions and examples are provided. I often try to incorporate handouts, and visual aides. When I discussed Frued's psycosexual stages, I allowed my students to identify some stages that they observed in their children. Most had never heard of the Electra complex, but certainly had observed the realtionship between their daughters and husbands change.
I incorporate my teaching style based on the learning styles of my students. I incorporate a variety of techniques to reach all learners to include visual, hands on, kinestic,etc.
Don't be afraid of trying something new.Get students feedback.
I Believe preparation of the instructor is the key to a successful teaching, Each individual have a different ability to deliver a lecture or guide a hands on learning procedure. Style in a teaching is an art; yet knowledge brings confidence and creates a soft and enthusiastic learning environment for the students.
I think observing different instructors is a good way to learn new approaches. Keeping up with technology and mixing up your delivery also keeps the students attention. The Gen Y group will appreciate technology mixed into the delivery method.
you must use a visual stye whhile getting the students involved. Also have a well mapped out lesson plan
Observation of the students during lecture presentation:
By observing the class's reaction to the presentation, I often find it necessary to adjust or change my instructional method. Monday morning class reaction is different than Friday afternoon reaction. By constantly adjusting my instructional and presentational style, I find that maintaining class attention is more successful and class response is easier to achieve.
