Dan,
All good way to increase your knowledge and professional development. The key is to continue in your growth as an educator.
Gary
One way would be to take an education course in an area that you may be interested in, or that you may feel an need to learn more about. Another tool would be to attend an educational conference, or meeting of peer professionals, to discuss ideas and solutions to issues each may have encountered.
The obvious answers are to attend continuing education focused on instructor development, set up a mentor relationship, participate in class room observation, incorporate student feedback. More importantly is one's own mindset to always strive for improvement and not settle for stagnet teaching practices.
Jean,
You have shared with us a very comprehensive list of ways to expand your instructional abilities. You are going to do a great job in the classroom based upon the methods you have listed. I wish you much teaching success.
Gary
Duane,
What was meant by specific courses to be taken and timelines for accomplishment was intended to convey the idea that you set up a specific professional development plan as an instructor. The specific courses would be those in areas such as cognition or learning preferences that an instructor wanted to learn more about. As for experience it is essential in the total process of professional development. You have a long and varied history in the classroom so I know you have extensive experience and expertise that can be shared with students as well as other instructors. Keep up the effort to share your knowledge with others.
Gary
Michael,
Great list. Thanks for sharing it with us. I know this will be beneficial to other instructors as well.
Gary
Hello. I'm new to academia, so I appreciate this tutorial/forum. I think some basic abilities that are important are: be enthusiastic about your topic. The students pick up on our attitude the minute they meet us. If we are passionate about what we are teaching, chances are it will rub off on them (Harvard video was excellent). Arrive early/being prepared/knowing our material really builds our credibility with the students. Developing rapport with the students lets them know that we care about them and creates a powerful learning community. Professional/personal competencies are also important and helps us stay current and relevant!
I take exception to the idea that "Specific courses to be taken and timelines for accomplishment" represent the most important part of a professional development plan! After 40+ years in the classroom, I find very little information in "courses". My development goals relate to things like STUDENT INFORMATION RETENTION, and INTEGRATION WITHIN A COURSE, BETWEEN COURSES AND WITHIN CURRICULI! These are, obviously, very individual and I have yet to find meaningful resources in these areas.
How can I expand my instructional abilities?
Let me count the ways.
1. More classroom experience. There's no substitute for experience.
2. More training. Even though I have college course work in Contemporary Education, Business Education Management, Education Technology, Pedagogical Foundations, and Education in a Diverse Society, additional training is always beneficial.
3. Self study. A review of educational literature and Web sites such as Annenberg can provide valuable insights.
4. This online course.
5. All other ways. The ways to improve are pratically unlimited, such as discussions with other faculty and administratiors, listening to students, thoughtful reflection of classroom experiences, and on and on and . . .
Malcolm,
Good strategy for expanding your knowledge of how to be a better instructor as well as developing additional skills.
Gary
I think to expand your abilities it is good to watch other instructors. By doing this you can pick up things that you didn't think of, or see ways that you don't want to present. In other words the good and the bad. I taught Marriage Enrichment Retreats to many couples in large group settings, but I became a better Instructor by watching many of them before I hit the platform. I picked up things that worked for me. When the time was right I got rave reviews on my presentations. I sat in a class at the college the first night of my interview and did the same thing which I have already applied. I also talk nightly to another IT instructor about how their class is going and we share the comments back and forth.
Mary,
You have such a great background as an educator that I bring to the classroom. Building on your expertise is going to expand the knowledge base you have acquired so it is going to be a win win for your students. Keep up the good work and thank you for the past 32 years of helping educate the next generation.
Gary
Hi Nicole,
What do you teach? I usually search the subject on the web for ideas.
Ann
I recently retired from 32 years of teaching in the public school system. I have had experience in grades K-12, both general classroom and working with students with special needs. Throughout the years, I have enjoyed expanding my instructional abilities through participation in professional development activities, leading faculty members in analysis of assessment data, prescriptive planning activities, and serving as an instructional coach in literacy. Throughout my teaching career, and now as a part-time instructor in an adult education setting, I continue to learn from other instructors as mentors, participate in professional development activities, read articles related to my field of expertise, and continuously self-assess to make sure my instruction is effective. I have an insatiable thirst for knowledge and enjoy being a life-long learner.
I believe that I am already working on expanding my instructional abilities. In June, 2011, I finished my Ed.S. degree. As a member of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society, I have access to research based articles and nursing online workshops. Additionally, I am a member of the Kappa Delta Phi and have access to educational informaiton that is research based. I try to take advantage of any resources available through my employment also.
I would like to be able to have a bank of ideas to pull from. This will help me expand my instruction. Does anyone know where I might find such a bank?
Ann,
All good ways to expand your knowledge base and expertise. I am a big fan of learning from others. Through observing another instructor I can always pick up an idea or strategy that will help me to be a better instructor.
Gary
I am the same way. The change keeps us on our toes. Sometimes I will let the students teach me the updated program but pretend I do actually know it.
I agree. I taught accounting once, and the transparencies were very helpful. I let the students come up and fill it in too. To make if fun because the overhead practically blinded the person who was writing, we wore sunglasses.
My favorite way to expand my instructional abilities is to discuss different approaches with my peers, including sitting in their classroom. I also like going to conferences because of the networking. I am an English instructor in a career school, so there are not many other teachers I can get feedback from in terms of teaching writing. I try to go to a conference at least once a year to hear what is going on with language in general and in terms of teaching. This also perks the interest of students. They seem to enjoy hearing about current issues that are going on in the English language. I found that roundtable discussions with my peers has been the most inspiring way to broaden my skills.
