New Instructor
As a new instructor, you should always be in tune to how your class is receiving you and the information you are trying to teach them. How do you know if someone isn't following along? As questions and get your class involved.
When you ask questions about what was gone over the individuals not following along will not understand the question or they will have a blank look and maybe even try to keep looking down at their book as if they are reading further or trying to find the answer.
Don,
Thank you for the comments about how to manage student participation. We instructors need to look for different ways to engage all students, both the talkative and shy ones so at the end of the course each student feels he/she made a contribution to the success of the class and learned new content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
With that one student who doesn't seem to engage their class, I notice that I try to conduct them into our classroom group discussion without singling them out. I find that as a new instructor I feel have to manage them like a quarterback conducting a play and passing the (discussion) ball to the isolated one so that he or she may shine. It has worked tremendously with one student and they are one of my top performers in class!!
David,
Students like variety and change of pace if they are to stay engaged. You are doing such with your approach. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree. Whenever I lecture through the whole class i find i lose my students interest very quickly. If i break the lecture up into practical learning and lecture they are much more involved and feel satisfied with what they are being taught.
Yes, asking questions of the students keeps them participating and also awake.
Steven,
So true and so important to the educational growth of students as well as your knowledge of what the students are gaining from the content you are sharing.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with this. Anytime you engage the student in a two-way exchange it allows you to assess the knowledge level of the participants. Some subject matter require more in-depth discussion than others.
Frances,
Yes, feedback is essential if there is going to be student engagement and instructional improvement.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
feed back is critical, stop intermittently and look for feedback.
Heather,
Thank you for these comments. Engagement is critical for students and this teaching method helps promote such for students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Professor Meers and Chase! I agree completely! Classes that are interactive are definitely more engaging than classes that are straight lecture. I believe involving students in the learning process by becoming the "facilitator" rather than "lecturer" can go along way.
Heather
Chase,
I have the same memories. So the more we can employ this delivery model the more effective we are going to be with our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I remember my most informative and enjoyable classes being interactive as opposed to just straight lecture. Engaging the students and getting them discussing topics amongst themselves and the instructor keeps students alert and focused on the topic.
Courtney,
Good strategy. What are the questions most often asked by your students that you use as a guide to help you adjust your instructional delivery to enhance their learning?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
