I will continue to participate in online training courses . And review the information as well as actively use it in future classes I'm teaching. I think classroom assessment feed back forms are helpful to improve my presentation skills and content.
Peggy Gunther
Bruce,
Good balance in sharing content with application. The formula you are using provides multiple opportunities for students to work within their learning preference areas. Thank you for sharing this model with us as I know it will be of help to other instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
While students have their own learning styles, instructors must also have their own teaching styles. In some cases, I have found that the teacher-centered approach have proven to be quite beneficial especially when I must disseminate a large amount of data/information to my students. By the same token, I have found that the student centered approach have proven to be quite beneficial when student feedback is required; for example, during discussion or case studies. This is based on the variety of courses that I teach from business math to fiancé and management. Nonetheless, I found that a combination of these have proven to be the most effective. It is what I termed the 20/20/20 approach. That is, a typical class will consist of 20% lecture, 20% discussion, and 20% group work.
Kesha,
I am a big fan of this type of feedback as well as ongoing feedback from students. The more we know the better we can target our instructional improvement.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
There's nothing better than good old-fashion feedback from both my faculty chair and my students.
When my faculty chair sits in the class, he notices things that my students otherwise may not notice and he can give me constructional feedback or some food for thought.
What is really inspiring is sitting in another professor's class and watching how students get engaged and excited about the subject matter. It's a true eye-opener.
Elliot,
I think staying current in the field that you teach is important as well as the instructional improvement growth needed. So taking a course in your field where you will see and learn about how the field is changing is critical for instructors. I don't know about a bartending class if you teach a wine course but I would think having the chance to go to winery and "shadow" workers as they gather the grapes, process them and then mix the various juices to create blends and flavors would be extremely valuable in teaching a wine course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Ronald,
The key is growth as you mention. We instructors need to continue to explore how we can improve our instructional impact on students. This should be an ongoing goal for ourselves throughout our career.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Tracey,
Great to hear! I wish you success in this your new career. Have fun and enjoy the opportunities to help students to create a future for themselves.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Suzelle,
Great to hear about your use of the material we are sharing with you. I wish you continued teaching success. The more you know about your students the more accurately you can target your instruction to them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Chris,
This experience is extremely valuable to students as they get to benefit from your expertise while see how the content of the course has direct application to the their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My institution does promote expanding my educational horizon. I am glad that they also consider experiences beyond just "another" course curriculum.
Beyond additional or expanded accreditation, is there suggestions for peripheral experiences that might be considered professional growth... for instance, if I were teaching a wine course, do you feel it would be appropriate to take a bartending class?
Continuing to participate in courses such as these and of course interaction with your class help to develop styles and strategies that either work or need improvement. Either way, you continue to grow as an educator
My college will offer classes to attend to educate me on new procedures and current styles in cosmetology
Go to hair shows and have educational classes.
As a new instructor, this information has been very helpful for me to develop my instructional style to help me become an effective educator.
The technique that I always use when teaching a class is to adjust my instructional style to the learning style of the students(culture,level of education,profesional background).
This online training will help me to explore the different ways to improve my instructional style.
I bring my knowledge of on the job training in the field that i teach. I have worked in many different places that the student is learning to work in. I bring the skills that the employers are looking for everyday.
Chris,
What are some ways that you bring your unique instructional style into the classroom?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Roshally,
Respect that is two ways, meaning from the instructor to the students and from the students to the instructor sets the stage for the development of rapport. Rapport gets the students engaged and focused on the course. This is when teaching is really a lot of fun.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with how beneficial it is to have the institutional place you work out provide us with online learning courses and training sites.
