I believe that I can be more knowledgeable and prepared for my class. The short period of time I am given between course teaching is an issue. The more I read and further my knowledge will help my students
William,
All good strategies for enhancing your professional development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Take courses such as this. Observe other instructors and talk with other professors about their styles. The main point is communicating the material in a way that it is learned and assimilated.
Thomas,
I like the fact you have retained your enthusiasm for teaching and passion for your field. This is a very strong attribute to carry into the classroom. I agree about the opinion of being compensated for work done but as you mention it doesn't often happen in the world in which we live. I teach in the non-profit sector and there it is even worse. The pay off I get is knowing I am leaving a legacy of well prepared individuals that will be successful in my field. That is what keeps me coming back to the classroom even if I have to take a lot of credits to keep my certificate current.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Zachary,
Observing instructors is a very effective professional development tool. Good point for us all to remember as we seek to expand our abilities as instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Gary,
I am extremely excited about sharing knowledge with my students and have been doing so for 31 years non-stop. I intend to continue. It is a passion of mine.
This commitment to professional requirements outside of texts and class content is relatively a new development thrust upon us by accrediting agencies and bureaucrats in the education business. It is, in my opinion, more a nuisance than a help to a old professor such as I.
To express the opinion that teachers should be compensated for their time may be radical but it is legitimate. However, I don't expect to be compensated given the current economic climate but I also don't have to be happy about the need to spend 30+ hours a year taking credits in addition to my 24 CLE credits required by my profession.
You are free to hold your own opinions about this and you do.
Thank you for your good wishes.
Tom
I find that through observing, shadowing and auditing other instructors, one can find new techniques to develop the instructional styles.
I find that through observing, shadowing and auditing other instructors, one can find new techniques to develop the instructional styles.
David,
You are fortunate to have this kind of instructional support. Glad you can take advantage of these opportunities.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Karen,
All of these suggestions contribute to your professional growth. Thank you for sharing them with us. I know they will be of value to other instructors looking for ways to expand their professional development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The Institution I work for offers different trainings through the year that can enhance my instructional style. I find it helpful to participate and keep further developing both personally and professionally to take this courses.
Taking professional development activities such as this online class or seminars will help develop refine and enhance my instructional style. Talking with the student or even taking surveys from the students will give an even better understanding of how the learn best.
Thomas,
Sorry to hear of your situation. It sounds like you might be better served in your professional development to step away from the instructional process and concentrate on your use of legal knowledge to compensate you for your time. It is for sure in education where we all face the continuation of professional development often at our own cost and time that you will not receive the pay you feel you deserve. I have been teaching for over thirty years myself and still get excited about sharing with my students. The minute that I don't feel the passion for sharing my content nor am I enthused about teaching then I know it is time to go to another setting. I wish you the best as you work through these requirements.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Roark,
It all depends on the individual and how he or she is processing the information.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Dave,
Observing other instructors can offer you many different strategies that will work in your classroom setting. I always like sitting in on other instructor's classes when I can. I always take something away from those sessions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Laura,
You have a very comprehensive approach to your professional development. I know you are going to have great results with these efforts.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Bart,
What a great opportunity you had with this workshop. I know what you learned will help you to see additional ways to get your students engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have been teaching for 31 years and I find all these instructional courses and requirements to be, generally, a waste of my time. I spend hours and days on them and do not get paid for my time. I am an attorney and I only teach one course a mod yet I am required to take classes on Ethics and Internet Security, 24 hours for CLEs in my field, 8 hours on yet another learning site and now 12 hours on Max Knowledge.
I don't even get an Instructor's Edition of the book to teach from. Now my institution wants to give me an e-book and force me to pay to photocopy the pages to bring to class. How professional is that!!!!
What I get from these classes is not worth the time. This was never required in the 80s and 90s.
Still, I will maintain an open mind and try to see if I can get some benefit from these classes. I still should be paid for my time spent on them, especially if my institution wants to make me a better professor.
In addition to taking this course, I believe the team of instructors will be valuable in understanding course specific techniques which will enhance my instructional style.
I rely upon the learning partnership in orde to change my style...
