What makes an instructor effective?
There are two critically important components of an effective instructor: having knowledge of the subject being taught, and knowledge and skill in how to teach that subject.
Adonis,
This is so important and critical to the learning success students. We need to ask ourselves on regular basis if we are doing the best we can in the area of instructional delivery.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
An effective instructor knows how to connect material within the textbook & classroom to it's application in real-world situations.
Sherrie,
Sharing stories and examples as well as projecting one's personality into the topic are great ways to get the students engaged in the learning process. Teaching should be fun and sharing that fun with students is OK.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
An effective instructor must be knowledgeable in the subject but also be able to make it fun and interesting! Sharing "real life" experiences, hands-on-demonstrations, and making a game out of learning when applicable. Using the "see it, hear it, do it" concept until all students understand and can demonstrate the skills being taught and verbalize the importance of the subject matter and how it relates to real life situations.
Michael,
I really appreciate your kind words and glad that I can have a part in your teaching success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Thank you Gary. I learning a lot from just reading your advice. I'll apply them every day in my class & probably the rest of my career.
Thank you again Sir,
Michael,
Good way to monitor the flow of your class and read your students. This is how you are able to maintain a setting of support and enthusiasm for learning. Keep up the good work in being the learning leader that your students need.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
To be able to help students & effective instructor in my class there were things you have to remember. Definetely know what subject you are being taught, knowledge & the way you explain to students. Able to read the class is extremly important, making sure everyone engage and enjoy the subject you are talking about . Being humble and sometime need to listen to the class, making eyes contact to students and motivated them. If I feel the students getting tired. I'll give them a small break, tell them funny story or examples related to subject, the wrap it up. I can come back with that subjects in next day, and making sure all my students understand.
Joseph,
You are making the content relevant when you share such stories and then you top it off with an application. This increases the ROI of the course to the students and increases their motivation levels.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
For me having industry experience helps a lot when instructing, especially when the topic is particularly complex.
For example when teaching about what and how a tool works I notice I get a more focused attention from students if I can throw in a story of how I used the skill to solve a particular problem at a job site.
Lisa,
Like the mental checklist you work through in order to be prepared to teach. You are staying student centered in your approach and that sets the tone for quality instruction and student engagement.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
What ultimately makes and effective insructor is whether or not my students "get it". 1. I need to be knowledgeable in the subject I am teaching. I should be able to answer questions and have a firm understanding of my subject. 2. I need to have skill in the way that I am delivering this infomation. Do I understand my audience? Am I relating why it is important that my student learns and/or understands what I am teaching. There are many different and effective ways to instruct. Ultimately how do I measute that I am an effective Instrutor? My students LEARN what I am attempting to teach them.
Nicole,
Great question that all of us instructors ask ourselves. Based upon student feedback you will learn a lot about how you are doing. I give my students 3X5 cards after assignments or projects and have them give me input about how effective I was in sharing the information so they could complete the assignment. I ask for "Three things you learned from the Assignment." "Two questions you would like to ask." and "One thing that I learned or surprised me about the subject area." Their answers let me know how I am doing based upon their answers.
Also, you will know because you can feel those class sessions when you "nail" it. Your students will be engaged and focused on the topic. It is sessions like this that keeps us coming back to the classroom.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
How will I know if I am an effective instructor? I have been working in the field I desire to instruct about for 11yrs. So, I feel I know my "stuff" but how do I know I can effectively teach this to others?
Thank you so much this information is very beneficial to me. my question is concerning the learning styles of different students. do you think group discussions are a beneficial way to teach? after i have given them an overview of the subject matter and then put them into groups to discuss and present to the class?
An effective instructor is the one who takes time to prepare and organized at least day before and demonstrate dominion of what is going to be taught. Also has the knowledge, skills and expertise so the students could focus in class, find the material of interest and learning process.
Cammie,
Your last sentence is a very good one to reflect on when it comes to teaching. We need to look for ways, examples and opportunities to bring the subject matter to life for our students. When we do that it is such a great feeling of achievement.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Ticha I agree that being able to read the students and being "adaptable" to their needs is important. Everyone has different learning styles and it's critical that we create an environment for each style to learn.
Thanks for sharing.
Tami
If you are knowledgeable the students also tend to listen to what you say. They also if they can see the class in a “Real World†setting then they know listening and paying attention will help them in the long run. That is why it is important not only to effectively teach, knowing the subject brings it to life.
