Continuing faculty development through courses such as this one, do readings in adult learning styles and effective teaching strategies, keep up to date on recent information in your specialty, and having the motivation to want to improve.
Embracing technology is critical to improving your instructional abilities - particularly for those of us who started in our field at a time when there was little or no technology. We have to show our students our willingness to not only accept the technology/change but to welcome it. See it as the opportunity to work smarter, not harder.
Observing other instructors within your organization. It may an one your supervisor has asked you to observe or (my preferred method) to observe an instructor you have heard students talk about and recommend to their fellow students. We have a math instructor here and the first thing I heard about him was that he could make almost anyone like math
A good way to expand your instructional abilities for me has always been taking extra courses in the subject. Really, any course helps expand your instructional abilities. Whether it's relevant to your subject or not.
By understanding the learning abilites of your students in the class to best meet there needs.
Jamie
File managment, Communication skills and presentation development.
Christopher,
These types of courses are always challenges as you say. The good news is that you are looking for ways to be creative and innovative in your delivery of the content. By having this attitude I think you will be able to find some ways to introduce activities and/or change of pace into the class as time goes by.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I teach math, mostly algebra and statistics. In the past, I have spent most of my class time in lecture. I am always looking for ways to mix it up. I realize that students learn in different ways. Also, I realize that even students who learn well through lecture will get bored in a lengthy lecture. Recently, I have tried to split the time in my Stats classes: half lecture and half lab/project. This works well for stats classes which incorporate technology such as Excel in application. However, I have not found a way to vary my algebra classes to this extent. In my experience in teaching Algebra, there are usually many objectives for the course which require explanation and examples with limited class time. I am usually talking right up to "the bell". For this reason, I am reluctant to give up any lecture time. I do attempt to make the class interactive, with pauses for Q&A. Regardless, I am open to new delivery techniques.
Lilia,
I think you are going to have a great experience using this instructional method. Your students are going to be engaged and you are going to help them see the value of the content being shared. This will really help them with their critical thinking.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Gabriel,
Good strategies for expanding your knowledge and expertise. As an educator learning is life long if one is to continue to grow both in the field and as a communicator.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Peter,
All good ideas for professional growth.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
To make sure to keep inform of new trends; by continuing furthering my education using the resources provided by my institution.
I have decided that my next lesson would not be teaching or talking about the material but doing the assessment on the patient and applying/stopping at important points to discuss why we do it. Engaging the student to use critical thinking of why it is done this way.
One method to expand your abilities is to take a course as such. Also, by reading other materials on teaching,instructions,exchange ideas with other instructors.It is an endless journey, learning never ends.
-look into the instructional techniques
-learn from more experienced colleagues
-learn from own experiences
By taking courses within your discipline and reading material prevalent to your field of study relative to teaching and instruction.
You can also visit and observe other instructors who have been identified as subject-matter experts in the field and who have a proven track record of good instruction.
Michael,
Good ideas for ongoing professional development. Each component contributes to sequential growth and more effective instruction.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Staying current not only in your field but in the methodology of teaching is paramount in assisting one to expand their instructional abilities. We need to not only concern ourselves with theoretical developments but also with practical developments. The use of technology in the classroom has been revolutionized by the development of digital media and the Internet.
There are many ways to increase our instructional abilities. Other than the obvious such as professional seminars, symposiums and reading journals, we should also talk to other teachers both on and off campus to exchange ideas and tips on classroom management and delivery techniques. We also need to talk to our students and see what works for them. If we don’t have the time to administer learning style inventories to determine our student’s preferred learning styles, we can just ask them how they like to learn and adjust our methods accordingly.
Adeyinka,
Good professional development plan. This way you will be expanding your expertise on a regular basis.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
By observing what methods and strategies work for other instructors and to read how-to books as a guide.
