Development section
This is very basic. I saw right away I could skip the course part and go right to the quiz.
While I certainly do see a need for a teacher to continue to grow as a model and an instructor, they are not going to accomplish that via canned, one-size-fits-all modules.
The best instruction for a teacher is being in the class room. Every class has it's challenges, and meeting those challenges is where a teacher grows and develops.
Paul,
Your last sentence really is the core of what educators should be about. Quality education that helps students to create a future for themselves. Coming from a more structured educational background I can appreciate your position in terms of delivering content. Students need to be able to see the connection between the course content and their educational growth. If the class does not have organization and structure then that connection will be greatly reduced if not lost. Something that amazes me is that students elect to go to college, pay tuition and then come to class late if they come at all. Makes me wonder why they signed up in the first place. I come from a background where I was the first in my family to complete high school (my parents had to leave school after the fourth grade) as a result of poverty and geographic isolation. I relished having the opportunity to go to high school and then college. I made sure I was at ever class, even the ones that seemed to hold little value to me because I had paid for the classes and I wanted to learn all that I could. I still hold this feeling today, many years later. There is always something to learn no matter your station in life. Wish the challenging students that we have today could get that message through their heads.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Anne,
The opportunity to review the foundational aspects of instructional development and delivery helps veteran instructors to think about what they have been doing and how they can expand their knowledge and expertise. Yes, a lot of the content is common sense but as someone that has been in teacher preparation for many years it seems that common sense is becoming less common all the time. Your last sentence makes a very good point in terms of how the message is delivered. This is especially true when working with adults that are returning to school and are concerned they will not be able to do the work and keep up.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I do look forward to discovering new ways to get the lessons across.
At the same time, I sometimes wonder if we are doing the students any favors by some of the edutainment ideas.
Some of our most brilliant minds were trained in the old school f teaching--lectures and homework.
The bottom line is I want to give my students a good product for all the money they are paying for their education.
The materials presented do seem to be common sense but it has helped me to think about all the different aspects of teaching. It isn't just what you say it is how you say it.
Paul,
Yes it is a foundation course for those instructors that are beginning their teaching careers or want to add to their knowledge about enhanced instruction. We have a number of advanced professional development courses you might want to explore as you strive to be a more effective and efficient instructor. I have found that after teaching for over thirty years I can still learn new strategies that will help me to help my students and I hope this will be your experience as well. I look forward to taking courses like this that will give me insight and help me to be the learning leader that I want to be. I wish you continued teaching success as you help to prepare the next generation of students entering your field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
