Growing Yourself as a Learning Facilitator
I think that when you are more confident about the material you are teaching, you are likely to feel more capable of experimenting using new tools to facilitate learning. When preparing for a class when the topic is more "known," the time that would have been spent reading on the topic, can be devoted to preparing a new way to present the material.
Brandy,
yes, effective communication with our students is so key to their success & our effectiveness.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
communication is very important and should be play in all class setting
Annie,
I like this approach as it's multi-faceted & I especially like the approach of discussing with patients as this keeps the interpersonal skills fresh too.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I try to keep up to date with my field (dental hygiene) by attending continuing education classes, and encouraging students to use evidence based research papers and apply what they find in the research paper in treating patients. In clinic while the students are treating patients, I encourage discussion with the patient on what the research says about their oral health care.
This is a very good point. Doing this will ensure that you grow as an instructor and in a way increase your own experience base! Good tip. Will definately try this out.
anthony,
I too have this happen from time to time. Or when having a discussion they will make application in an area I had not thought of, this is always exciting.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
There are times when a student may ask a question I have never been asked before.It puts a hole new way to look at the material.I have even had parts of the material I never really put much emph on until a student asked. Then the material became part of dicussion.
Linnie,
this is true & it also helps our students to be more willing to experiment & fail themselves.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Sometimes trying something new fails... instead of being embassassed, I laugh. The students get caught up on the fun of the teacher "blowing it", and hense, the material sticks in there mind!
Greetings Mike!
Yes, you do have an "appetizing" topic! It's always great when instructors have the opportunity to get new information and when we have learning experiences with colleagues as well as students.
MaxKnowledge is dedicated to providing the latest information, and a forum for discussion and for sharing with colleagues.
We thank you for your participation and keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Hi Mark!
A very good way for you to grow and learn in - what sounds like - a stagnant environment.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
How do you balance the need to learn more about the topics you teach with your need to develop new ways of teaching and your classroom time?
Hi Anne!
You have several very good opportunities for personal learning. Instructor should see any situation as a chance to learn. Don't forget that students are excellent teachers as well.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
It's not easy to find time to do both. Fortunately, I am obsessed with the topic I teach-food and cooking-so researching to learn more is always fun. I really depend upon these MaxKnowledge courses to help me devise new ways of teaching. Also, my school has monthly faculty in-service days where we are given seminars on teaching more effectively.
Since we teach entry-level students a lot of the time, we have a bit of anvantage. Topice are set firmly in our curriculum giving us the chance to concentrate on new teaching styles. In the Le Cordon Bleu division, Instructors have little say in topics that are taught, we facilitate....
I see the need to expand my need to learn about my subject separate from developing new ways of teaching the class. I read trade journals, books, attend seminars and take professional development classes to learn more about my subject. I do the same for teaching. Growing in the classroom is about utilizing both at the same time. One usually leads into the other.
With the courses that I instruct/facilitate, Medical Coding; the coding is updated each year. Therefore, I need to keep up to date with the changes. Also, I tutor the online students on the phone. That helps me to be creative in my delivery of the material. That in turn helps me be a better facilitator in the classroom.
I balance the need to learn and the development of new ways of teaching by continual research of the subject matter in my field and the constant adjustment of my teaching style to meet the ever changing needs of the various students in my class.
Greetings Dianne!
Good job! When someone wants to learn - they learn! Because of technology we have so many opportunities for learning; most are easily accessible and allows us to learn something in a short period of time. We actually have more than we can keep up with - but it's GREAT!
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
