Get Your Students Hired
Molly,
Good point. Having the materials available where the students can see and touch them helps them to application of the content they are learning. Also, you make a good point about relevancy because you are there to answer any questions they have at any time with this delivery model.
Gary
expanding my isnstuctional abilities i love to do everything on hands i feel a lot of my students can understand when i am in front of the class but when we are in the lab thats when they are more excitied about learing and i can even sometimes stop and lecture in the lab and have noticed that they will be more understanding and want to ask more questions if they have everthing in front of them so i try teaching in the class room and in the lab thats how i expand my instructional abilities and if they need one on one i let them know i will be there to help
To master the different instructional modalities, i would train and educate myself while trying different approaches in the classroom. I would also make a timeline to reach specific goals that will enhance my teaching abilities.
To expand my instructional abilities I do the following:
1. I participate in professional organizations at the local, state, national and international level. (I am a Fulbright Fellow and an Oxford University Round Table Presenter).
2. I stay abreast of the latest research in effective teaching and learning and put it into practice.
3. I participate with colleagues in discussions or Professional Learning Community work sessions. The "I do- we do- you do model" works well for the adult learner as well as for the instructors. (loosely modeled after the Japanese teaching and practice mehods.
4. I practice what I have learned and use data to analyze how sucessful it was. These data tell me if I need to re-teach or discard a methodology.
5. I model what I teach to others--lead by example.My pedogogy is very solid.
6. I LOVE what I do and I am always open to new ideas, concepts and strategies.
7. I never stop learning or trying to do better for my students.
8. I learn from my mistakes and I learn from my students!
9. I update and "tweak" course syllabi and outcomes/objectives for each course all the time so nothing becomes stale.
10. Lastly, I learn by watching and trying what my collegues do to be successful with the students. I seek their critiques and feedback.
Dr. Sandy Gecewicz
Hi Steven,
Good point about keeping current with technology. It is a real challenge for me. It seems that it changes at such a pace that I seem to always being behind the times no matter how hard I try.
Gary
Technology is changing constantly, so it is important to continually keep up with the new areas within your class material. Keeping up with Office Products and new releases is very important because students ask you about Office 2010, and if they can use it when your are teaching 2007. You need to know the differences.
Hi Wendy,
Great professional development plan. This is how you continue to grow as an instructor. Not only do you expand your expertise base but you are developing skills as a instructional delivery expert.
Gary
I think no matter how long or at what level of teaching one has done there is always room to expand one's eductional abilities. As I have always said "if we can learn at least one new thing a day" then we are comstantly using our brain to learn more and apply more to our expanding knowledge.
One way I expand my instructional abilities is to read articles and learn what techniques other professors use. I am already doing this over the summer and plan to incorporate more examples and analogies into the classroom. I am also going to consult with IT to see if I can make my PowerPoints more interactive and less "static."
One of the methods I have found extremely successful in expanding my instructional abilities is through shadowing a seasoned instructor. In shadowing an instructor, I observe their teaching style, listen and learn from their clinical expertise, and carefully observe the student/instructor interaction. It is an opportunity like no other to witness the "real-life/real-world" impact that an instructor has on a student, especially as a model, manager, and motivator.
Rebecca I feel that students can add alot to expanding ans improving our instructional abilities. How they engage in class and their views toward the material can be very helpful to the instructor
Expanding instructional ability takes imagination,creativity and experience. Students may offer ideas and suggestions to build on already implemented instruction.
This was an excellent way to advance my professional growth and abilites as an instructor. Continuing education courses and professional devlopment such as this will help me to expand my abilities even further.
Hi Heather,
Keep up your learning about the use of technology. It will pay off for you. It seems there is something new coming up all the time that I can use with my students once I take the time to learn how to use it.
Gary
I can use technology a little more. I'm not afraid to use it, but there are some things I am still learning about electronics in the classroom setting. I feel that the students like it when the teacher interacts a little more with technology
I agree with Dr. Gary, small groups work really well. We actually break into small groups and each person takes a turn role modeling as the instructor on the topic that was discussed during 15 minute discussion. This was a great way for students to retain the information, because they had to re-teach it to the rest of the group. One you were a teacher, the other time you were a student.
I agree with this, as well as discussing with your department chair any relevant courses you could take.
I'm currently trying to learn more about the topics I teach by talking to other professionals in the field. I feel as though there's something new to learn from everyone out there. By asking questions myself and taking on the role of a student from time to time, I'll be able to improve my abilities as a teaching by expanding my knowledge.
A great way to expand instructional abilities is to communicate with other professionals and ask for their feedback regarding what they consider effective and efficient instructional methods.