Moses,
Good strategies. Each class term results in more experience and more growth. I have been a teacher for many years and each course is a new experience from which I learn something new to offer my students next term.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Ashley,
Spoken like a dedicated and focused professional educator. I commend you for your passion and effort. Both of these are serving you and your students as well. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My name is Moses Megliorino... As far as what techniques can you employ to further develop, refine and enhance your instructional style really depends on the students and the class itself. Thru my experience, every semester and or term has its own techniques. Lectures and hands on techniques has really help me.
Knowing well the subject you are teaching will enhance your instructional style because you will be confident and able to share the information with your students. Getting to know the students will show you have an interest in them and their future will help develop a style they will respond to.
I believe that it will come with experience. With that experience I think that you as an instructor needs to be open to trying new things and not afraid to adapt to each class dynamic. I also think that exploring new and fun ways to teach that may not be the "mainstream" way, but also taking into consideration each type of learner, while still being able to reach out to each different learning styles. I am a firm believer in taking risks and not being afraid to try something. I will not let the fear of failure keep me from trying new things in the classroom. If something were to fail, I always have a back up plan.
For me it is most important that I remain up to date in my respective field. I attend conferences and seminars and read journals to keep myself familiar with what is occuring in the world today. I feel this allows me to better relate to my students and to allow them a window into what is occuring out in the world. This also allows me a wide range of information and possible demonstrations to pull from in my teaching. I hope that by being current my students will see my love of my field and gain interest in it as well.
I found that a mixture of different methods - in particular using highlighted powerpoints, group discussions with case studies and lecture provide just enough variation for students to remain engaged with course content of the day. Dorcia Dunn
Hello Kathryn, I have also incorporated role-playing activities and games into my presentations. The students look forward to the 'change in pace' and they create opportunities for the students to shift from 'individual' to 'group' learning. When I first began instructing, and relied too much on the lecture method, I realized rather quickly that I was 'losing' my students after a while and their attention and interest in the content waned. When I began introducing the techniques described above, the students became more engaged and enthusiastic about the topic. One of their favorite games, that I use as preparation for an upcoming exam, is a "Jeopardy" format and the students are in a team competition working together to provide the answers. The more difficult the question the more "money" it's worth and they look forward to the challenge!
Instructional style is individual to each person conveying information. Techniques develop when it is observed that a style has worked. My techniques comes from working in my field for over 23 years, and knowlege what works and what doesn't work. I have only started to teach, and I am still working on an instructional style or technique. I am currently providing hands on, and one on one. Right now, I find this the only way to teach my particular subject. My technique and style has yet to be developed. Next term I will to endeavor venture in the classroom as an instructor, and so I imagine my style, or technique will improve, or be refined.
I ask questions and techniques of more experienced instructors and use them often to evaluate how well I am instruction.
David,
Hope your observation went well. Observing other instructors is a great way to expand your ideas about how to run a class and deliver content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have just finished the first part of ED101 and am on my way to observe my first instructor, to see his style and how he handles his class. I also think that you should also pay attention to your student surveys and honestly look at yourself and your teaching style and what you could do to be a better instructor.
Kathryn,
Like your list. All of these methods will help to expand your professional expertise and effectiveness in teaching.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Victor,
You make a good point about how to refine your instructional skills. Both strategies you mention will be helpful to you and your professional development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Gina,
Good strategy. This way through comparison you are able to expand and strengthen your own instructional delivery.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Terry,
This is a critical part of effective teaching.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Michelle,
What are some examples of workshops you would like to attend to expand your instructional knowledge and expertise?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
you can utilize the teaching skills of another instructor. Learn from students who are willing to share thier learning styles with you. Take or participate in courses that offer ideas in teaching styles, and over time you will develop your own style and technique
Practice new techniques for presentations, role-play, skill demonstrations, games, etc. Observing other instructors while they are teaching also gives new ideas for improving an instructional style.
I believe that the instructional style that we naturally develop has a lot to do with our own ability to learn. The difficulty is to teach depending on the collective abilities of the students to grasp the material, and not how we would like it to be taught to us.
