I'm glad my institution provides this avenue because I've learned a lot just from the first few courses I've been through. I'm just started in the education arena so its been very helpful.
Kareme,
Sounds like you are ready to go with your instructional plan. I wish you much success with this endeavor and I know you are going to have a head start as a result of your previous experience.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am fortunate my institution provides many opportunities to develop/refine my instructional style.
I utilize online tutorials to stay current in the field. They provide the latest tips/techniques that greatly benefit my delivery of course material.
I also attend in-services that usually include guest speakers from different fields. In-services always provide a great opportunity to mingle with other instructors and discuss teaching strategies.
I'm very lucky to have worked in academic administration for over six years. I started as a student advisor and now hold a role as Manager of Academic Support Services. Having been exposed to so many functions of the department, I've been lucky to have been exposed to a number of academic processes, procedures and theories. Just coming to work means I get to hear about the issues and the solutions that are addressed on a daily basis. So, when it came time to teach my first class, I had already seen so many mistakes and so many achievements. Obviously, this CEE course will help to solidify some of what I have learned into a more structured basis for me. Informal discussions as well as formal ones with members of the team have helped tremendously as well.
Sue,
This is a great way to refine your instructional expertise and help to define yourself as an instructor of merit. Good service for your school to provide the faculty input and opportunities for growth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Susan,
You are on the right track with your professional development. Keep up the good work and before you know it you will be an instructor of merit. I wish you much teaching success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
We have 3 classroom observations done by a program director which evaluates and helps you see your areas of weakness and strengths. It is a great way to see how you come across.
As a brand new clinical instructor, I am pleased to be taking this course and to know that I can join prfessional organizations for futher instructional style development. I am planning to sit in on classrooms where there are instructors with much more experience than I have and who are highly rated by their students.
I agree, Seeing other teaching styles allows me to add different creative techniques to my classroom.
Tralanda,
Thank you so much for these kind words. Glad this information was of value to you. I wish you continued teaching success as you continue to impact the lives of your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jose,
Good way to expand your instructional knowledge. Sharing with colleagues helps generate a new ideas on how to be a more effective instructor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have been an instructor for 7 years now and wish that I had this type of training the first day I taught. This is great information.
Our school encourages faculty to share teaching styles during monthly faculty meetings. We also review any new ideas on a regular basis with full time faculty.
Ryan,
You are right about working for a wonderful school. It is obvious that your school values instructors and wants them to be well prepared. Enjoy these experiences and continue your professional growth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I work for a wonderful school. We have quarterly in services where we are able to get together, brainstorm ideas and topics in small groups, then present to the larger group. We get White Papers that are always beneficial and we have the Dean sit in on our classes and provide feedback.
Anthony,
I want to commend you for your great attitude about how to expand and refine your instructional expertise. This is so important for beginning instructors. I wish you continued teaching success and may you impact the lives of your students for years to come.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Curt,
I like the way you have laid out your professional development in terms of refining your instructional style. I think your perspective on this is on target because you will be sharing with your students the latest information and best practices of your field. This sets them up for a much easier transition into the workplace.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I really like this course, it is very useful especially for me as new instructor. I also really enjoy the in service meeting that our dean puts together, he is an awesome instuctor.
I see one's instructional style as an extension of their knowledge, experience, and communications skills. Therefore, to further develop, refine and enhance your instructional style, one should continually strive to gain further knowledge in their subject area. This may be accomplished through additional higher education courses or research. Experience may be more difficult, but it is important to gain experience in the subject area, either through practical application or applied research. Lastly, communications skills are extremely important when conveying a new concept to students. The better communication skills one has, the more clearly the key points will come across. By continually working on these three areas, one's instructional style will be further developed, refined, and enhanced.
Christina,
All good ways to expand your professional knowledge and expertise. This is how you will be able to continue to grow both in your field and as an educator.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
