Online classes such as these help to enhance and continue developing my instructional style. I also sit in on my co-worker's classes and ask questions to the more experienced instructors.
I am the instructor that likes to roll up his sleeves and get involved. i walk the floor and observe everyone in a calming fashion ,but instructional when needed, i would like to use more visuals in the future
George,
This is a good way to approach your instructional development because you are showing that you are willing to invest the time and effort to be good at what you do. Trying new delivery formats and being creative in your content will enable you to reach your students on a much wider scale.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When looking to develop your instructional style you have to be willing to look into styles you might not fee comfortable with. As a instructor I have to make sure I'm teaching beyond my comfort level with learning styles and pick up additional styles that might best help our students.
Carole,
You have a well thought out professional development plan for yourself. I commend you on your efforts to expand your knowledge and expertise as an educator as well as a representative of your field. This is what all educators should be striving to do.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think it's important to learn my students' individual learning style. I try to present each chapter of information in several formats to make sure I reach all of my students. By employing drills, interactive role playing exercises, online games, and testing, I've gotten great feedback from my students. I look for courses to educate myself on new teaching styles and I constantly read teaching forums for new instructional ideas for my classroom.
Terry,
This is a great way to gain additional strategies for instruction as well as developing a relationship with colleagues upon whom can be called when situations arise that needs additional input in areas such as student behavior management.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel one way to develop your style is to consult and/or work with your experienced colleagues. Even if they happen to be in a different field, they may have technique or two that you can tweak/modify to apply to your own style.
Harpreet,
Thank you for your explanation of how a well developed instructional style can engage students and get them focused on what is being taught. Finding balance in one's instructional style is important so the human factor can come through just as you mention. Keep up the good teaching.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I use a variety of techniques to teach my students- My students are taught using old traditional methods, using technology, online classes, hands-on, acting and by using models and charts. In order to keep up eith these strategies, I have to use various ideas- which I come up either by learning from others or from taking these helpful courses like this one. In order to teach, the instructor also has to learn different ways to instruct their class and make it intersting so that it caters to the needs of different kinds of learners in a class.
I think that online options are great, But for my like many of my students, when I'm sitting or in a forum in person i catch on much better.
Jon (Jack),
Good point and one that we instructors need to remember and reflect on. Who were those instructors that most influenced us and why did they? By answering that question you can start to see how their instructional style impacted you and then can use those parts that fit your personality.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I always try to remember the teachers and their styles that most influenced me, whether it was in JR/Sr High, College, or Technical School. If their style was successful in capturing my interest, attention, and respect,then why not incorporate some of their traits into my style. You still have to be your own person, but why not emulate your role modles.
I agree with you Vicki! I do this as well, different student learning styles, one size does not fit all! So I have to adjust accordingly and each time I learn something new. What worked in the past for some may not work now with current students, so you have to stay on your toes and find new, different ways to present things.
I am a fan of hands on learning also. Sometimes the Powerpoint is boring and life-less no matter how exciting you make it. I have found that if you can make the content relatable to real world/ real working experiences (that they can see being appiled) the student retains the information better. In my opinion they can recall the information better if they can relate and visualize it .
Debbie,
I like your list of questions that you ask yourself about your presentation style. Video taping can be a great way to gain insight to how you come off to your students. It can also make you want to run and hide when you see some of the mannerisms that you have and didn't realize you were doing.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Manuel,
I like your teaching style. You are making it fun to learn for your students. Keep up the good work. Glad you like the material and I trust that it will be of help to you as you expand your instructional expertise.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I often thought to be video taped while I lecture to gain more insight to how I present myself. I am keenly aware of facial expressions and body language and am curious how I come across. Do I talk too fast? Am I engaging? Do my arms flail while I talk? Do I have a positive attitude? Am I patient enough for answers? Am I clear in speaking? Would I want myself as a teacher?
About the question, I can say that attending colleagues classes and recalling my student past help a lot.
First of all, I found this material very interesting. I am glad these modules exist and they are helping me a lot.
About my style. I love to challenge students. When I say challenge, I say it in a positive way. For example, few weeks ago I asked the students how many water molecules are there in a bottle of water. They started to guess numbers between 100 to millions. However, everybody coincided that a precise number can be determined. That was the introduction of "Quantities in Chemistry".
