Diane,
Do you use any ice breakers in your class introductions?
Gary
Diane,
What some ways you are going to enhance your instructional planning and delivery areas?
Gary
Yes this is very true. It gives the student a sense of comfort knowing they will recieve what they came here for.
One of the things I do is have each student introduce themselves and tell us a little about there future goals.
To be more prepared for the subjects that I will teach.
To get more resources and different information pertaining to the course I teach.
To get to class earlier.
Be more prepared on the subject that I will teach.
Debra,
Both of these strategies are valuable to the total learning process. They give students an opportunity to reflect on what they have learned while advancing their knowledge base.
Gary
One of the techniques I can employ to further develop, refine, and enhance my instructional style would include the ongoing development of daily summary "icebreakers" that I use in the first 5 to 10 minutes of class to help the students "refocus" on the materials.
Another technique I can refine and enhance is the inclusion of more "checkpoints" to be included during lecture that reminds me to stop and check student understanding at key point in lecture and lab also.
Tracy,
I think your analysis of the current group of learners is right on. They need and want to be actively involved in the learning process or they start to disconnect.
Gary
I completely agree! The students see things from a different perspective and through them I can see how they are learning the material. It is always good to refresh the lesson plan. It seems that this generation is more tactile and visual than auditory. Therefore, being creative with projects and excercises is key.
I feel this is an easy question to answer at least for myself. I always tell my students that I learn just as much from them as they do from me. Having the ability to learn from your students as an instructor for some can be challenging, however breaking down that “my way or the highway†attitude will definitely help enhance your teaching style.
Yes Ann, I have observed students change from struggling and discouraged, to positive and motivated after a simple demonstration or by providing a visual example of what is being taught. It helps to keep all students on the same page and move on together.
Angela,
Can you expand on this so I can understand how you view the development of your instructional style? Thanks for your input.
Gary
To further enhance, develop and refine my own instructional style I find it extremely important to pool my resources including but not limited to all my students, my Program Director and any other instructors around me. I ask for constructive feedback and often ask my students if I am meeting their needs and expectations.
I am aware that I tend towards being authoritarian; which can be too laden with verbal content for many of my students; therefore I have to make a concerted effort in varying my style. I like to give students an opportunity to teach any of the subtopics I have given; this way it helps them realise how much they have grown to know, as well as what they need to fine tune.This usually becomes more interesting, because it's a fellow student, and they also are eager to help eachother out...making class participation more lively.
Any time I am able to have something taught in the psychomotor domain, I always impliment in my class lesson. I am always guaging how much I talk, but I do not want to look too self consciuous because it can seem like I am not sure of myself...or maybe not sure of the class content? I do want to stay engaging, and want to stimulate class participation...while keeping it at a level that is scholarly...but not boring or sandbagged with only facts...by peppering the discussion with personal anecdotes of day to day, boots on the ground examples....usually is stimulating, but i have noticed that some maybe taking it as too challenging, therefore I always assure them that they will be surprise how much they will also learn on the job and what will then become second nature to them...always telling them that I was just like them, and that no one comes to the field knowing everything...which is also what makes it a stimulating field, because you are always learning.
Alvin,
All good ways to expand your knowledge base on effective teaching methods. Growth is a constant with instructors that want to impact the lives of their students.
Gary
August,
I agree with your analysis of how we need to approach the classroom/lab with today's students. Targeting their learning needs and providing instructional support is essential.
Gary
Attending continuing education classes and seminars will expose you to more styles and examples of techniques that you can choose to employ in your classroom.
Peer and student feedback along with video of you captured from your classroom can help you develop, refine, and enhance your instructional style.
ed thomas
Dr. Meers
I do believe in current times, that students demand more customization from us as educators. One we need to provide more media types for training such as tutorial videos. In addition some students need lots of hands on assistance in programming, while others do not even want lectures, but rather more on line reading with a little facilitating later on labs. We have to know the student and be prepared to adjust learning request as needed.
regards,
August Martin
