First time being an instructor
I know how to perform the job that I teach but I just need to get organinize with lecturing it.
Yordy,
Good way to read your students and then respond with an instructional delivery that works for them. This is what being student centered is all about.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Hi Everyone
I had the same experience. I usually teach using a power point guidance but I found my college students like the most breaking down the concepts on the board. I think is an efficient way to learn specially for those that prefer visual interactions and kinesthetic.
Leslie,
I like your attitude about being open to learning new strategies and techniques. This is what being an educator should be about. As you are gaining experience keep an eye on ways you can expand how you deliver content and engage students. I have been teaching for many years and I am still learning new ways to be more effective.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This is also my first time being an instructor and it is much harder to teach a hands on trade I have been doing for so long than I was prepared for. Organization and planning my lectures more thoroughly has made a huge impact on my classroom. The students are definitely not the only ones with something to learn. Im learning something new with each class I teach, and its very rewarding. Im very open to all opinions and advice.
David,
Well said and an important point to consider as you develop your instructional skills. I wish you much teaching success and welcome you to the profession of teaching.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
i am just starting as a instructor an this brings me back to when i first started as a diesel tec it just takes time to grow and improve
Tracy,
Right you are about the fact that experience will help you to develop into an instructor of merit. It is like any other skill set that takes time and effort. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I was comforted by the reminder that it will take some time, but that growth will come. I have just begun my journey as an instructor, and was having that "fish out of water" feeling; wondering where I begin with the 'professional' aspect of my new career.
Megan,
Teaching and instructional delivery is always a work in progress as you are learning. I commend you for your willingness to keep your options open and make modifications and adjustments in your classroom approach based upon the needs of your students. These efforts are what is going to help you to develop into a master teacher.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have been a college instructor for several months now. I originally began with Power Point presentations. I enjoyed this method in school, as I am an auditory learner. However, I soon found that many students did not prefer it. In the past few months, I have changed my strategy to breaking concepts down on the board as well as including the Power Points. I feel that this really engages both the instructor and the student, and hits visual, and kinesthetic learning styles tather than just auditory.
Donna,
Keep up the great attitude and you will continue to grow on your journey to being an instructor of excellence. This is a win win for both you and your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
That's a great reminder. I taught as an adjunct instructor for the first time recently, and although I believe the students liked me and I did a pretty good job, I felt a bit like a fish out of water. It's good to remember that we don't get confident in our fields overnight. It's that consistency that makes us better. Thanks! I needed that.
Donna,
It is an ongoing challenge for sure. Trying to find ways to get the students to connect with the content and see how what they are learning will impact their career is a major part of what we do as educators.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Cindy,
Experience and repetition of the courses will enable you to get to the next stage in your instructional development. Always be on the look out for different strategies you can use in your classes, observe other instructors and strive to be current in your field. The result will be what you are seeking and that is to be a master teacher.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Finding new ways to engage students can be very frustrating at times. I want everyone in my class room to be as excited about the class as I am.
I really enjoy the teaching environment and have been working hard as a first year instructor, teaching different courses throughout the year, to become more effiecient at class development and preparation. I am hopefull that this will improve over time and leave room for more refinement of classes each time I teach them so that I am not putting in overtime every week.
Karen,
This is a fun and engaging way to get class participation. Thanks for sharing this with us. I know it will be of value to other instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I LOVE developing creative powerpoints that have a single question for the group. If you can get OK with the longer pregnant pause, they DO jump in. If you take the initiative and answer first, you train them to wait for you. I also have a yellow Nerf ball that I toss to whomever I want to answer a question. This brings up the energy in the room and allows me to get the quiet folks to answer more.
John,
Well said. This approach is what makes the course content come alive as you say. The more examples and applications you can help the students make the relevancy the will see in what is being taught. Keep up the good work in helping your students make the connection to the real world.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
