When teaching a course, I take my prep time and make sure I put the time into the course so I know how the course will flow as far as grades, tests, assignments, so I can be fair and consistant with students. I have another instructor who has been there to check it over for accuracy and college rules. In the end though, I know it must reflect me and my style, as well as my knowledge of the subject area so the students realize I am being authentic.
Michael,
This is so important because students can easily lose the reason for why they are enrolled in the first place as the course proceeds. Knowing the WIIFM helps to keep the content relevant.
Gary
One way I further develop my style is to find better ways to appeal to the student before each lesson is presentend. I give the student the "what's in it for me"...the relevency to their real jobs and lives. The "hook", if you will...once I draw them in with the hook, then they are more apt to learn and stay engaged.
Mike
yes. This is impartive. Check out PBL.
Ann,
I agree and I know you have an endless supply of stories to share that fit each segment of the course. Keep sharing those stories and inspiring students.
Gary
Nightwing,
This is a great complement to your instructors plus you have role models to follow. Keep up your instructional development and continue to inspire your students.
Gary
I try to listen to my students. Each student has their own learning style, so being able to adapt and present materials in a way each student will understand, using mostly layman terms, works for my classes.
I teach Math and once I finish going over a particular topic, including working out a few examples with the class, I have the students work on a few problems on their own. I walk around the room to monitor how they are doing (this is a good way to see if common mistakes are being made). We go over the problems after they are completed and I address any mistakes I may have noticed.
I plan on taking advantage of all professional development opportunities offered at my campus, and will strive to refine my instructional styles and abilities based on student end of course feedback. Every time I teach English 101, I analyze what went well, and what didn't go well so that I can improve the class for the next time that I teach it. I am always more critical of myself. :-) I've also learned not to be afraid of trying something new with the class, and to be adventurous in adopting new instructional techniques that may be more effective.
Mark
You can develop a method of delivering the course content and repeat it refining as you become more comfortable and knowledgable with the content.
I plan on utilizing every opportunity with my school and/or other professional institutions to further my educational background so I can provide the best education to every student!! I will continue to study and evaluate ways to better my educational background!!
I will never be perfect but I plan on trying to the very best I can and provide the best knowledge I can for every student!!
Laughing... yes- you're right- it seems that my students remember more from one funny/shocking story I tell from my days in practice than they do from my carefully constructed Power Point lecture! I can spend hours making one presentation, or seconds telling one story- with the same effect!
Whenever I'm lecturing and getting blank stares, if I get an example of what I'm talking about, so students can SEE, things always liven up- it becomes clear who the visual vs. hands-on vs. auditory learners are! After lab sessions, students will say, "Now I see what you were talking about!" It's not always easy to demonstrate during lecture, but whatever I can work in helps...
I find "hands on" & visual examples (lead by showing) my most effective style
more continueing education credits, more work shops can inprove my teaching
So many students are visual learners. If they can touch and see they seem to remember.
I find success when I bring real world experiences, or case senarios to the discussion. The students can visualize what situations they might find themselves in once they graduate. We role play and create situations to solve
Probably the most fascinating tidbit I picked up during my educational degree pursuit was that male students need movement on the instructor's part to keep the interest level at a learning level.
through my work i went through an education course on the different styles of learning, and found out that to get your point across it is easier to use two or morestyles at the same time
