as i am doing my warm talk with my students i try to see what how yhey react to my greeting as they come into my class. That is when i plan my approach to get5 everyone involved in my class.
I have been told I teach as a father figure because I take my student progress seriously and personally. If they fail, I feel I have not done my job and have let them down, Therefore I continually encourage and inquire.
Michaelle,
Spoken like an experienced professional educator, which you are. Learning can and should be fun even though it is hard work. When we get our students engaged and using their learning preferences they start to get comfortable and settled into the routine of taking in new information and seeing how it fits into their life experiences and career growth. When this is occurring we instructors are in the "zone" and it is a win win for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is important to me that I connect with my audience. In my earlier teaching career which focused more on early child development, my instructors drilled incorporating each learning style in every lesson to engage every type of learner. That is a concept that I haven't forgotten and still practice. With adult learners, I use the same process to prepare presentations that lend to auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners. As a lifelong instructor, I've come to understand that no matter how old we are, we are still comfortable learning in a manner that feels natural. It doesn't mean we can't adapt, but the learning experience is more applicable in a way we can naturally process and retain the information being shared.
Linda,
Good strategy to follow because you will gain the benefit of the instructor's experience in a short span of time as a result of your observation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Justin,
This is a model that is highly effective as it provides both relevancy and application to the content being taught.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sit in on class sesions with a seasoned instructor to obtain information to adapt to my instructional style.
I believe staying current on new technologies in the field is important. Also mixing lecture with hands-on exercises can show how material from the lectures can relate to real world scenarios.
Joseph,
Interaction between students and the instructor through discussions, Q&As, and case studies are ways to promote the use of newly shared content. Your instructional style enables the students to be comfortable in the class while contributing their perspectives. Good strategy to follow, keep up the good effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My style is to encourage student involvement by presenting material in a way that promotes discussion. I find that these discussions help draw students into further discussion by challenging their assumptions and conclusions.
Dyana,
Well thought out and student centered. You are developing a delivery and interactive style for each class and this enables you to customize your style and provide support as needed. In addition, this approach enables you to be creative and engaged as you teach the same courses over and over.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
my instructional style is based off what the students needs are, and how I am willing to change things to make the classroom function to its full potential. Feedback is crucial for devolpment in instructional style. It paves the way on how to approach the way you are going to teach.
Eboni,
What are some examples of how you do this?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Joseph,
You are receiving professional development from a number of different sources. This is a great way to expand your knowledge and skills as an educator. Your students will benefit from all the effort you are putting forth to be more effective in your instruction.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I apply objectives to real world examples.
Travis,
This is a good way to illustrate the application and relevancy of the content you are sharing with your students. They see you doing the tasks and then they can try them as well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Taking these courses is an excellent opportunity for me to enhance my instructional style. It offers an abundance of tried and true suggestions that have worked for others before me.
In addition, I am enrolled in a college course where I am able to see the effectiveness of my professors approach and their instructional style(s).
I strive to be hands on the show the students the task can be done and that the instructor is not beyond doing the task.
Tracy,
Good analysis of how you can develop your instructional style in a way that is consistent with your personality and your currently enrolled students. Your instructional style will evolve over the years as you identify your most productive way of delivering content and impacting student lives.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
There a few ways to enhance and develop your instructional style. First, an online course such as this one, provides new insights to everyday actions. Second, I like to talk with fellow instructors that have had my students to find out what techniques they used to motivate or mentor their class. Another way to refine my instructional style is to take refresher courses within my discipline, through seminars, trade shows, competitions, and reading trade magazines.
While those are some of the ways develop my instructional style, not every class is motivated by the same style. Some classes work better when my style is more structured and standardized, but more often classes require that i become flexible to their needs and in my delivery of the curriculum. If they aren't understanding the material when presented in a standard lecture format, then I switch it up to a hands on demonstration or we go to a group discussion.
