I am a new instructor and it cleared up a lot of the guess work that I was doing through the first months of my new job.
Subscribing to industry journals, attending courses on the latest technology and meeting with other professional is important.
Helen,
It is important to have a professional development plan for yourself. You have listed some very good ideas for expanding your instructional delivery expertise.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
You can expand your instructional abilities by continuing your education through CEU's, seminars and orgainizations. Periodicals pertaining to your profession are also helpful.
Margaret,
All good ideas for professional development. The key is to have a plan for including such things as those that are listed and as a result knowledge and expertise will expand.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I would say by taking continuing education classes like this one, technology, and lots of practice! I think by being organized, prepared and open to new ideas is also helpful. I also talk to colleagues and get their ideas and suggestions.
Vladimir,
Like the quote because it is really reflective of what we must do as educators. Planning and more planning helps us to reach the goal our students need to reach.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Kelli,
You have a great professional development plan in place. I like the way you are expanding your knowledge and expertise in a number of different areas. Keep up the good effort, your students are constantly benefiting from it.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
A goal of an instructor is to teach a student, but according to Antoine de Saint Exupery, "a goal without a plan is just a wish".
So, a lecture must be thoroughly planned.
Attending faculty development events, observing others in my field of study, reading current article, and applying teaching techniques described in my profession journals. Lesson plans are continually updated, to keep my courses fresh and up to date. I try to present each course a little different each time, so I do not become stagnant in my lectures.
Heather,
Yes, it is. You can get a lot of insight into how to develop your own instructional style by observing other instructors and reflecting on previous instructors you have had in your educational career.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have found that observing other instructors has been very beneficial - in every area from body language to the specific activities used in the classroom.
I definitely agree. You must always be flexible, adaptable, and willing to change your instruction. Not every student learns or processes information the same. Teaching is not a one size fits all and sometimes having the students teach each other with your guidance helps.
Chrystal,
Good plan for expanding your professional expertise. The more things like this you can do the stronger your skill sets are going to be and as a result the more impact you are going to make on your students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
As a fairly new instructor I have been observing other instructors and sharing information about styles. I have then done some trial and error with different styles. Having both lecture and lab classes, it does allow for me to see where my strengths lie. I have also gone online and looked at some suggestions by other instructors and techniques for specific subject matters that are creative that I can add to certain lesson plans.
Michael,
Great to hear about the instructional expansion you are going to do in your teaching. After many years as a teacher I am still learning more and better way to instruct while trying to bring creative new strategies into my classes.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have been teaching Barbering for 11 years. I have found that even though my methods in the past have sufficed I am in need of updating my methods.By expanding my knowledge of new methods and instructional materials I am able to conduct my class in a more competant manner.
Mike
Frank,
I like the way you have set forth a long term goal while dealing with the realism of now in terms of how you will teach while you are gaining experience as an educator and learning ways to be more effective in with your content. This bodes well for both your students and yourself.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Mina,
You are on the right track. Students need variety in delivery so they can reset their minds at different times in the class. In addition, you will have a higher level of engagement as a result of your approach.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The most effective way to expand my instructional abilities is playing an active role in professional organizations related to my field. Also, there are countless resources available via the Internet which can help. In addition, there's nothing like finding a mentor who is willing to spend the time to enhance my knowledge base and to sharpen my instructional skills. This boils down to leading by example which is what we, as successful instructors need to do with our students on a daily basis.
Getting back to the professional organizations, most of them have student membership plans which can certainly help our students out. Providing this opportunity to our students really reinforces that we, as instructors really care about them. It works for me!!
