How does ESL and other differences effect what you folks are discussing?
I would like to observe fellow instructors and learn from their classroom experiences. Our campus has awarded an "instructor of the term" award. I would like to visit that instructor's class and also have him address his style and techniques during upcoming faculty training.
Techniques that I can use to further develop, refine, and enhance my instructional style are to be a positive model for my students to influence them on how they should act, dress, and talk; and to model time efficiency, leadership skills and abilities, and how to have and continue to build confidence. I am committed to providing an effective and efficient manager, myself, who can function on different levels, such as supporting champion, and encourager, and authoritative and disciplinarian when needed. I will use the motivator role to help motivate my students to succeed in every aspect of life. Finally, I will use my technical competences to help teach and education them in business matters, which is my area of expertise.
I am a new instructor to my organization. I was fortunate to teach a few classes last term. From that experience I determined I need to work on framing and delivering questions to guide student discussions. Our organization recently offered a discussion facilitation workshop which I participated. I will get the opportunity to implement some of these techniques in the next term.
Marian,
Good for you! This is how instructional improvement will occur and your expertise will expand.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am constantly taking Professional development classes and learning as much as I can learn about improving my "art" as a teacher.
Anthony,
This is such a great tool for gaining insight into how the course is going and what if any changes you need to make to keep the students making progress in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jacqui,
Great to hear because activities like this help to expand your professional development and expertise.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
feedback from colleagues observing the class is always extremely helpful in my experience.
I am grateful to have access to these online activities to help me develop as an instructor.
Geneva,
Good way to get student feedback as well as make instructional improvements. Instructional improvement is an ongoing process for sure. Each time we teach a course we need to try and bring something new to the course as well as make sure we are offering the most current content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Instructinonal Style is very important!! I teach a Principles of Marketing Class and I've had to spice it up with speakers and hands-on activites!!! I ofeten take survey's in class to find out different ways I can offer test and also deliver the content better...The students love this because it shows that I wanna be better and also bring home the strong point review in class.
Kelsey,
Glad to see you have a professional development plan that is working for you.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with the above message. I am glad that the institute I work for also gives us learning opportunities as instructors.
Sharon,
The key to instruction is the connection between the learner and the instructor. You are right that without that connection little or no value is going to be associated with the content being delivered.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sharon,
This is a professional development model that can yield great results. The more input on how you are perceived the more accurately you can refine your presentation persona. These suggestions are going to be helpful to many other instructors. Thanks.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Heather,
Good way to see continual improvement and expanded expertise as an instructor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I appreciate your statements and agree that teaching is a form of performance art. As with entertainment and making a connection with the audience, one’s teaching style is the conduit through which information flows. If your student/audience cannot connect with you on some level the learning process will be rough.
As mentioned in the course material, roughly half of your instructional style is based on your personality and how you present. It would then make sense to me to start with a good dose of honest self-reflection and self-assessment to identify areas of opportunity. In a lecture situation, for example, you could video record a few lectures for self-review or ask a colleague to drop by a lecture for peer review. From examining this, it could shed light on content/organizational deficiencies or even basic presentation values. That would lead to exploring tools or techniques to address those specific weaknesses.
Not only can I do continuing education, but I can keep a journal detailing my successes and failures
