John,
The more information we can access and expertise we observe the more options we have in for our own instructional planning. So keep up the good work of expanding your knowledge base about teaching and student development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
By taking additional training and educational courses one can expand his or her instructional abilities. In person and on line course provide an opportunity to expand our abilities. Also by discussing with colleagues and taking any inservice training available through the university can also aid in expanding instructioanl abilities. Being involved and staying abrest of changes in your area can also aid in expanding instructional abilities.
Jorge,
Great to hear about the growth you are experiencing through the feedback your students are providing and your positive attitude of wanting to improve your instructional delivery. I wish you much success in your teaching.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I completely agree with Jodi as I have done the same for years... I learn from courses as I go and read the feedback improve hopefully each time. I admit my errors and make sure that I get back with their concerns if I do not have an answer for their question.
Students always make comments of what they liked or what could be better and quickly I take note of that... it is an awesome experience! Thank you
James,
Good strategy to follow because of the points you listed. This way you can adjust as needed to keep the students focused on the content being shared.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think keep atuned to the needs of the students, paying attention to the input from the students, their reactions and responses, would help to develop an awareness of how to adapt the materials and the teaching style to meet their needs.
Cynthia,
Good plan for expanding your expertise and professional development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Relying upon the professional development plan with deadline dates is a must. Schedules are so busy that unless it's planned, I don't get to it. As a new adjunct faculty, my lead instructor has provided recommended classes and areas for study. I also learn a lot from talking and observing other faculty members.
A structured process for completing training on instruction using readings, seminars, workshops would be appropriate in my case. Without deadlines, it's not likely to get done. Other helpful ways are to discuss instruction with other faculty and watching other more experienced instructors with their students.
Sonia,
Feedback like this can be extremely valuable as you define and refine how you are going to develop your instructional skills. Good point and one we need to remember as we do our instructional planning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One way in which we can expand our instructional abilities is by asking for constructive criticism from a lead instructor/or peer. Also, asking him/her for suggestions to correct any areas that may threaten or hinder student's abilities to learn.
I agree with those who encourage participation between students and instructor, also staying current as new technology developes. This is very important when teaching younger students. I believe that your teaching style depends alot on how your students react and learn. Teaching style may have to be altered slightly from class to class. I also find that my continued learning has helped with coming up with new effective ideas.
Cristiane,
You have good insight about how to continue your professional development in all areas of instructional planning and delivery. You are right certain content remains the same but the delivery can be enhanced or changed to increase the engagement of students. With engaged students retention is increased and everyone becomes the better for their effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I don't want to sound like everybody else but of course staying with the cutting edge information will expand my instructional abilities. However, I also believe that learning about how other instructors may deliver their content to their students (especially someone in a similar field as yours) may help expand the ability to be a more efficient instructor since as humans we tend to settle for a certain way of teaching or being in the classroom that could maybe at some point use some "expanding" and improving perhaps a certain way of delivering your content. Remember there are some subjects that don't really become "cutting edge", some topics are just what they are, so, how would you expand on that subject even if there is nothing to update about? My answer: observing, participating and watching other, more experienced even, instructors.
Jessica,
I think all of these strategies will help with your professional development. The key is to have a professional development plan and continually work to expand your expertise. You are doing this. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe that one way that I could expand my instructional abilities would be to take additional performance based coarse, attend intructional development webinars and seminars, and network. Addtionally I think that discussion within your staff about instructional tips what seems effective and what doesnt is always a great way to learn techniques for improvement.
Lisa,
The more you can engage students in activities that assist them in making application of content the more relevancy they will see in what they are being taught. You are doing such with your method of having them share and explain what they have just learned. Good teaching strategy to follow.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jessica,
Good way to stay current in your field as well as being able to deliver the latest information about Radiography to your students. A win win for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
While teaching I will begin class and lecture for at least an hour then I take a different approach. I will stop and use thinking maps or bubbles to review material we have just lectured allowing students to come up to the board and write and explain what they have written to the other students. This hopefully helps with comprehension and educational development but also stimulates and motivates them to finish the rest of lecture.
Lisa Johnstone
I am required to obtain CEUs in the field I teach. Radiography is still evolving. I stay up to date on the latest technology and bring the information back to my students.
