I think to expand my instructional abilities is to be involved with the professional organizes in which your are instructing. Billie Mikus
Lisa,
Observations of colleagues is a great way to expand your expertise and knowledge as an instructor. We should take advantage of every opportunity we have to see how others teach and then grow from there.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I attend a lot of workshops, meetings, webinars, etc to keep up with changes/trends in my career field, but I learn more about instructional techniques by speaking with and observing other instructors. They give me ideas and feedback on how I can present material in a variety of ways, not just as a lecture, which is the most common method in the business world.
Terry,
Right you are about remaining current in our field. To not do this is to cheat our students of the most current content and best practices of our field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It it cruicial as Instructors to stay current in our field of expertise through professional development such as continual educational courses, teaching strategies in-services , and being a part of professional organizations.
Dave,
Have a back up activity of some type to use when you need to catch your thoughts. I have a number of case studies that I bring to class and can hand out when I need to get my students to thinking and problem solving. The case studies can range from easy to more difficult this way you will have them available no matter where you are in the course-beginning, middle or end. Also, I have questions listed that I can use to start class discussions.
You will be ready to go again once you have worked through one of these activities and got your thought organized. I wish you continued teaching success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am an instructor that is new to training in a college environment. Most, if not all, of my students are professionals that are seeking certification in our subjects. I have extensive training and experience and previously spent a large amount of time training and mentoring subordinates. What do you do when the curriculum is new and your mind goes blank but you will rapidly lose class interest by reading from the book (besides going home and practicing)?
Melannie,
I congratulate you for having such a comprehensive professional development plan. I wish you much success as you work toward your doctorate and expand your instructional expertise.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found that being involved with any chapters that have involved the degree has helped me in improving my instructional abilities. I teach Medical Assistant classes, which means that being a member of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and having my certification, helps me keep up to date on new issues and technologies that come out. This has really helped me in providing extra information to the students.
Classes in different educational techniques will also help me. I plan on continuing on through CEC to get my doctorate in educational studies. This will allow me to learn different methods to help my students learn the material.
Being an instructor has allowed me to pick the mind of numerous other instructors, which has given me a chance to expand my knowledge in teaching methods. This has given me a better insight to what I do and how I can improve.
Terry,
This is a good way to expand your knowledge of in the area of instructional delivery as you mention. The more experience you have the more "tools" you have in your tool box as an educator.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to listen as other instructors help students. It gives me more avenues which I can use to help my students.
Graham,
You have a balanced approach with your sharing of diverse examples and stories from your field with your students. You are right about them perking up when you share a story of how they can make application of the content you are offering. Stories from the field like your are great motivators for students. Keep sharing them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As a new Instructor with 30 years of industry experience in the Culinary field I find myself often giving real world stories for the application of the current subject.This engages new students and to what they can expect in their chosen new careers.At the same time I must remind myself not all students want to follow my path, so I am adjusting my delivery to include a more varied area of the culinary field.I do his by keeping up to date with food trends and career oppertunities within the field.
N. Dianne,
This is one of the things I like about being a teacher. I get to learn and improve throughout my career. I know other careers do this as well but teaching is one requires it of us if we are going to be the professionals we need to be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
First of all, be aware that you will never stop improving your abilities. After that, you take advantage of any opportunity that you can find. I have picked the brains of several of my co-workers, attended seminars, taken extra classes and most importantly....listened to my students.
Brian,
How do you use this feedback in relation to course improvement?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I expand my instructional abilities by speaking with students and asking what helps them learn.
When I visit other instructor's classes, and see the methods they use to motivate and teach,it is always an opportunity to expand my instructional abilities. It becomes a "best practices" exersize for me.
Laura,
Good ideas for expanding your knowledge and expertise as a communicator and education. Keep up the good effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Taking advantage of continual educational opportunities offered from my employer. Seeking U-Tube or TED video training tools to learn more about instructional skills for reaching adult learners. Observe fellow instructors in my college, specifically in a different study area to see if I can pick up new ideas for presenting content.
