Instructor Bio
I frequently use a printed short bio that details my professional qualifications outside of school. Students seem to appreciate knowing that their instructor has actually participated in the music industry, instead of merely teaching about it. They can see a list of the groups I've performed with, album projects I've worked on, agency and management contacts, promotional work I've done, etc. Also, within our online instructor information, I provide a link to my efolio, which details my work and educational background, and gives some professional samples.
Hi Fran,
My bio is stored on the college website. Students can look up the bio before they enroll in one of my courses to see what the instructor is all about or after they are enrolled in the course review the bio to see what kind of instructor they are going to have. Since I teach required courses the student do the later since they don't have a choice of courses they want to learn a bit more about the experience of the instructor. I also do a brief overview of some of my career experiences the first class meeting to bridge the connection between the online bio and the onsite class.
Gary
I agree with you, Gary! The instructor Bio is such a door opener for the students. They have a benchmark for your expertise and love for teaching.
Do you store your efolio at a personal website or with the college(s) you teach with?
Hi Marcia,
This informational bio will help your students to recognize that they have a well qualified instructor for the course. In addition it will help them establish respect for who you are and create a way for rapport to be developed over the coming weeks in the course.
Gary
It is a great idea to provide a printed short bio. I will do that in the future. I teach in a program that teaches the students to work in the health industry, mostly in the role as a personal trainer. I see it on the faces of the students when they see me for the first time. They are not sure what kind of teacher I will be, because they see my wheelchair first, not the person.
Having a bio listing my knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences in the field will hopefully help put them at ease. Once they are in my classroom for a few times they do realize I have a lot of knowledge, but the first meeting sometimes leaves a question on their faces.
Hi Diane,
What a great and rich background you have. Do you ever take a breath? I am sure your students can seed themselves in much of what you have done if they stay in their program and set realistic career goals for themselves.
Gary
Bingo! I am on board with this concept. The first day of class I let my students into the world of me. I am from California. My home in No. Calf. is now home to Apple. My father came over from Italy in 1922. Both my parents were fabulous cooks (my Mother's parents were from Austria and wow the hot cross buns and studels!).
I have hunted and fished from Texas(anyhing that moved) to Alaska (the silver salmon run), from Mexico (quail, dove and tequila) to Scotland (red stag to driven-grouse). I have never shot, bow-shot or caught anything that I did not eat. AND, I have been to Africa 5 times....never shot a thing by design!
I am currently in love with France! I will make my next sojorn in June: to see Normandy (The 65 anniversary of D-Day) and Monet's Gardens.
Hi Laura,
Good approach to letting your students know where you are coming from and the experiences you have had. The masters information is great because not only are you teaching online but you have completed a degree online. They know you know what it is like and that should help them to relate to you and the course.
Gary
I also go through the steps of my career as well as discuss personal information with my students. I feel this lets them know they will be communicating with a "real" person in the online environment and not just the computer.
I also let the students know that I received my Masters via an online program, therefore I knew what it is like to be in their shoes.
Laura
I do very much the same thing. I go through and step by step discuss my experience as well as adding in personal information about me and my family. I feel that this has really helped the students feel they know me and can trust me.
Hi Katrina,
Thanks for those kinds words of thank you. I know your students are going to benefit from having additional knowledge about how you were able to be successful in the field for which they are training. Sometimes they forget that their instructors are former students themselves. Meaning we all had to study, learn and work at being good in our careers.
Gary
I will definitely try to implement some of your ideas. In the past, my bio mostly listed a few of my hobbies aside from my academic qualifications. I typically bring in my work experience in class discussions, but think it would be great to include that in my original faculty bio as well. Thanks for the tip.
Gary, been working on my e-folio. I think this is a great way for students to learn more about thier instructors.
Hi Walter,
Good approach. You are showing as you say your students the steps on the career ladder. Sometimes they get stuck on the bottom rung and can't see anyway they can climb to the next level. You are showing them the way!
Gary
When I go over my bio I cover it in steps, so students can see how i professionaly advanced. this gives them also the opertunity to later come and talk to me on the career steps they might want to take.
Hi Gary,
Good job with your various bio forms that you share with your students. This establishes the fact that you have the experience to teach students about the music industry. This really helps with respect and rapport between you and your students as well.
Gary
