Donna,
This is a great resource that your college is offering you and your fellow faculty members. This has to be of a lot of help to you in professional development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Shirley,
We do need to adapt and adjust as we approach different classes. Each student group is different so we need to read that group and then develop a strategy that will reach them. This is one of the fun and challenging parts of our job.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Linda,
This is an ongoing process for sure. It seems that every year I have to expand my knowledge of what kind of technology to use and when to use it in my courses. My students really help me with this as they are ongoing resources for me to call upon.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Some of the many techniques that I can use to further develop, refine and enhance my instructional style are to continue taking classes that highlight the instructors role regarding being a model, manager and motivator. In addition to incorporating values of respect and kindness to students with a sense of humor and awarenss of current events of interest to students while enriching their knowledge base and thirst for more. More opportunities to display their choice of an anticipation and curiosity to keep asking more questions on a given topic of instruction. Education is a gift, a joy to be given.
Visit other classes/sessions that are being held by other associates. Keep up to date with the latest industry standards.
We have quarterly faculty in service meetings that offer courses to improve our instructional style as well as focus on retention.
I have found that I have to refine my teaching style to the type of students that I have at the time. The way that I teach to one group of students may not work with another group of students. Everyone learns differently and that is how I have to teach.
Although, we do have learning webinars, and in-service that help instruct us in the classroom,as well as monitor other instructors during classroom time to help improve our delivery. We have many opportunities to get help if we need help in the classroom to improve with our delivery.
I have some difficulty incorporating technology into classroom situations, and many of my "techno-savvy" students prefer this type of learning. I try to become familiar with all of the equipment and resources offered to faculty, and seek out instruction on how they work, and how I can use them effectively.
Seth,
Great resource to make a part of your professional development and sharing with your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to benchmark good speaking events such as TED talks to help me find new ways to communicate.
Michael,
I find that I always learn something from these observations. Good way to see how others approach their instructional planning and delivery.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sitting in classes and observing different instructors is one way I have improved ,added to and changed my instructing.
James,
I think this is an important thing to do in all aspects of our lives. Your strategy is a good one because at the end of the day you have a list from which you can develop a plan of action be it as a teacher or in other aspects of our life.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found that professionally, as an attorney, as a student and now as a teacher, taking brief notes during the day, including during class, of ideas that come to me for issues, methods or experiences I want to incorporate in a class/topic.
Crystal,
Like your professional development plan and your positive attitude for becoming and even better instructor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Raymond,
This is how our expand your expertise as an educator. This is what professional development should be about.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I look forward to developing as an instructor by shadowing, online courses, conferences, and my own research. I also will start a day outline for better time management both in and outside the classroom.
I am constantly trying to find new ways to get the best out of the students. By reading others methods and lectures help me achieve these objectives.
Erin,
I still observe colleagues when given the opportunity and I have been teaching for many years. There is always something to be learned by setting through and observing these classes.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
John,
What a great opportunity for you. These are resources that all instructors should take advantage of when offered.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
