Techniques I have available in my institution are quarterly in-services planned a year out, specific program in-services planned quarterly but even more frequently due to new or breaking subjects in the field, online courses, and outside seminars. Personally I subscribe to professional news and publications to provide the most up-to-date field developments to my students. I have even looked to local universities' instructor CE courses and class offerings to provide possible new invitations to my teaching style.
Greg
Jennifer,
Good strategy because by talking with colleagues you will pick up hints and methods that will advance your knowledge and expertise as an instructor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As a new instructor, I plan to ask my more experienced colleagues for advice and feedback. In addition, I will taking additional classes and stay up-to-date regarding any changes in my field.
Leonard,
You make a good point about the need to be yourself when it comes to your instructional style. You can observe other instructors and attend different professional development activities and the incorporate all that you know into your style as it relates to the content and type of course you are teaching.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
What techniques can you employ to further develop, refine and enhance your instructional style?
I remember when I first started teaching. I would mimic other great instructors, but what they did, did not work for me. I found my own style and through plenty of in-services, seminars, and learned experience I finally became good at instructing others. So, I am a big promoter of continued education, outside services and resources, and in house help.
Ralph,
I agree with you about the value of observing other instructors. I have been an educator for many years and yet I enjoy observing other instructors. I always get something I can take a way that will help with my own professional development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am a firm believer in learning from diversity of others. I occasionally ask other instructors if I can sit and observe during a free period- and maybe "steal" something that works for them. I also think the dynamic and demographic of a class is important. I hand out a small demographic questioner at the start of every class and it compare It to the end of class survey that Is done to see if there are things that work for particular groups
Roberta,
You are in a perfect place to develop as an instructor since you are both an instructor and student. Your perspective gives you insight as to how you want to communicate and support your students. I wish you continued success in your professional development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Misty,
You make a good point when you reference the fact that you let them know you were a student as well. Sometimes students forget we all were students at one time or another and that we have gone through the learning experiences they are going through. We do have an understanding of their needs and challenges. When they have such an understanding we can earn their respect and get them engaged in the learning process at a much higher level as their learning leader.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Karlsen,
You have a great support system for your professional development. In taking advantage of all of these resources your students are being well served and you are getting to be the instructor you want to be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have observed other instructors teaching, have obtain feedback from students to develop my instructional style. Being a student myself I know what qualities I look for in an instructor. I place myself in the perspective of the student, and this allows me to develop ways to assist the student to learn, retain and utilize what I am instructing them.
I believe in making the students feel comfortable within themselves, and within our school environment. I like to make sure that they know and understnd that I was once a student as well, and that it is ok to be nervous, or feel overwhelmed. The key is knowing that you can do anything, and hopefully by the time they have passed my class, they feel confident to face the outside world...
The company I work for helps us tremendously.
First of all, we regularly attend instructional classes to further our knowledge and techniques. We also have reviews from the students and we encourage them to tell us what they like and dislike. This, on top of reviews from higher ups listing our pros/cons enables us to quickly develop our way of teaching.
Of course our personal methods of teaching never cease to keep evolving. Every group of students is different and you have to be able to adapt.
Edwin,
This is a good way to connect the classroom to the real world. This will ease their transition from being students to being professionals. The more relevance and application they can see the better.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My instructional style is enhanced through the use of visual aids and presentations which enable me to support how the instruction applies to real word scenarios. I place the students in a position where they may be the person in charge or have to satisfy a work place requirement where they are being monitored by management to increase their sense of professionalism.
I went to seminar for elsevier faculty development and it really helps me to better myself as an instructor.
Stanley,
Listening and observing colleagues is a great way to expand your knowledge and expertise as an educator. Keep listening and keep improving.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am a clinical instructor, so I'm always listening to other instructor to see how they are explaining or teaching other students.If I hear something that I think would help me become a better teacher, I integrate into my routine.
Ron,
It is so important as you mention that the students understand via goals and objectives where the course is going. Once that is establish then progress can be made with the collaborative learning process and this is where personal growth is realized by the students. Thank you for laying this our for us. I know it will be of help to other instructors, especially those just starting their teaching careers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When working with my students I try and make sure that they understand the objectives of the class, what we will be covering, and how it applies to the professional world. After I feel that they understanding this I will usually poll them at the middle of the school term and towards the end to get feedback as to what they think about the class content. Most of the time it just requires slight modification to the content, and a few times it may require a full rework. The thing I want to convey to students is that this is a learning collaborative process with me as the guide. So I want to encourage as much feedback from them as to what and how they feel about the content and the structure of the class.
