Mary,
You have some great resources upon which you can draw as you make your journey toward becoming a master teacher. I wish you continued teaching success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Although I am new to teaching, I am enjoying it very much. I have both principals and teachers in my family so I have sought their advice and strategies to help me develop my teaching style.
Becky,
Like your attitude and enthusiasm for expanding your knowledge and skills in instructional delivery. Your efforts are going to be well worth it as you see the results of your teaching in the outcomes of your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Taking online courses such as these is a great way to develop myself as an instructor. This is a requirement by our institution, and I'm very glad for that. I am a new instructor and am quite eager to learn as much as I can about becoming an effective teacher for my students. I also ask questions of the other instructors, as well as observe their classes to gain as much perspective as I can.
Peri,
Good strategies to follow in your professional development. Each one of these elements will help you to be a more effective and efficient instructor. I wish you continued teaching success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Kaley,
You are fortunate to have such human resources available to you. You are getting some wonderful coaching and mentoring as you develop your expertise as an educator.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am in a career college and this is required during our first month of hire. I agree with you, it is extremely beneficial.
One of the ways in which I am further developing, refining and enhancing my instructional style is by taking this course. I also spend time talking with and listening to other instructors about ways they share information with their students. Our institution takes pride in staying up with the most advanced technology for classroom instruction; therefore, I spend time taking in- services and reviewing websites in order to learn how to use and apply these tools. In addition, I like to review the instructor resources made available by textbook companies to see how they suggest presenting material. Finally, I enjoy speaking with students to learn about their opinions on which techniques seem to work best for them. Putting all this information together helps me further develop, refine, and enhance my instructional style.
Wow, this was one of the hardest things to adapt to. I have to take time and learn my students and adapt to what they need. Each class is different and each student is different. I have wonderful seasoned instructors who are up front and honest and who critique me as needed which is great.
Kanika,
Students really perk up when their instructors share stories and examples from the field. You are telling them how it really is out in the work world through your examples. Keep up the good job you are doing through your sharing.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Elly,
Small enrollments in classes can be tough because you don't get the interaction nor discussion as you would from larger classes. You are doing a good job of getting everyone to contribute while you are keeping them engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I do the same and find the students really appreciate my tangible examples. I used to appreciate such examples when I was a student!
Tina,
What are some ways you will be doing this? Thanks for your input on your professional development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like continuing education. My field constantly changes because of the new technology and materials available. Therefore continuing education is very important for me.
I would also like to get more familiar with the different personalities in my class. It helps me to grab their attention and makes the class more fun and effective (I teach a small class).
I can further develop my instructional style by implementing additional activities that are more structured to their learning needs.
Daniel,
The use of two instructors in a classroom has some real benefits as you mention. Not only can they learn from each other but there are two perspectives and experiences from which the students can learn about the field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Nicole,
The key is to have a plan for professional development and this way you will keep expanding your expertise and knowledge about how to be an effective educator.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
in my organization, the value of continued education is definately recognized as a cornerstone of effective adult education facilitation. We have a very diverse instructor staff that have very different methods of facilitating. One method that we use to take advantage of that, is to pair instructors up in the classrooms. This way we are always seeing different ways to get the information to the students. We are also highly encouraged to take advantage of the education opportunities offered here at no cost. These are only a few of the ways that we try to contstantly improve and evolve with the best practices that show results.
I can take professional development activities such as this online class to help develop my instructional style.
Kent,
Observing other instructors is a great way to learn new delivery methods as well as see how others manage class room environments.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
