I personally view my own knowledge as something that constantly needs to be refreshed. By continuing to learn more about cooking and educational method I find myself to be a better cook and teacher. I find the challenge of incorporating new information to be a balance of learning more myself and relearning what I have forgotten because I do not use that material on a daily basis. Teaching cooking allows me to constantly refine many differnet techniques and excercise my mental focus.
Hi Homer!
As an instructor, I always like to hear what the students have to say. I am often humbled as an instructor/facilitator as I learn so much from students.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Ask lots of leading questions. Always be prepared to answer if no one else does but usually someone will offer something and the learning begins.
Great approach David!
Very productive to have students to do research on topics that we "all" need to know more about. I often use this strategy as well.
You really have to want to learn more. That takes a commitment on my part to do professional development. Taking classes, reading material, seminars, etc. are very helpful for me. This MaxKnowledge gets me excited about the new ways I am learning and how I can up it to the test tomorrow in class.
I find learning more about the topics I teach to be fun. The more you know about something the more you realize how little you really know? It can be great to bring that to the classes when appropriate, and only if it benefits the students. The students enjoy things that are current and my learning keeps that happening.
I am not afraid to tell my students that I don't know everything about a certain topic. Throughout the course I like to give everyone a research topic to go home and learn about. That topic may be on a subject that I am not very familiar with. The next morning we have a short class discussion on the topic. The result is that everyone listening learns something new.
I always tell my students we need to have an open dialougue in class, one question from a student while the class is paying attention can help several students learn something critical to the class material.
I like to find that balance according to the needs of the classes that are in front of me. If I think that my class needs a new way of instruction from me, or a way that is different from my usual instruction, then I will try to find that new way.
If I don't need to change the way that I teach a particular lesson, then I won't spend much time on changing it, but use my time instead, to improve my knowledge of the subject so that i can make it more interesting for myself and the students.
Hi David!
In this age of technology, we should never sit down to our computers that we don't learn something. I've often used tidbits of information from the computer to spark conversations and have been amazed to where it has taken us. Learning is always present, if we are receptive.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
Ed107 Facilitator
This is a constant struggle for me. As an adjunct instructor, I currently work a full time job in addition to providing instruction. For the technical side it is relatively easy because I can bring the OTJ dyanmic to the classroom. I find myself pressed to find the time to review the various resources to develop new ways of teaching. The courses that are offered through CEE are very helpful.
Deborah Balentine
This is a constant struggle for me. As an adjunct instructor, I currently work a full time job in addition to providing instruction. For the technical side it is relatively easy because I can bring the OTJ dyanmic to the classroom. I find myself pressed to find the time to review the various resources to develop new ways of teaching. The courses that are offered through CEE are very helpful.
Deborah Balentine
Hi Juanita!
Good work! I really like it that you see the value in engaging students for your own learning. We can always learn from each other.
Please tell me a little more about sharing your schedule - it sounds interesting.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Obtaining new knowledge about any subject is something I love, making it easy for me to balance learning, teaching and time in the classroom. In addition to researching needed subject matter, I allow my students to teach me while I teach them. Another great way to learn is by networking and brainstorming with other instructors. If you take the time to saturate yourself with continual learning, teaching becomes easier. I always tell the students I teach that being an instructor/teacher does not mean you are an expert in the subject. I tell them I learn something new each time I teach a class, even if I have taught it several times before. To be good at what you do, you have to make a commitment to learning. If you make that commitment the rest will flow together with a natural rhythm of balance.
I am always trying to learn more about new technology however I don't teach things I don't know so I learn it and practice also I always try new things all the time
Thanks. That is a very helpful tip!
My experience has proven this to be a classic question that all committed teachers/educators face and in fact struggle with at times. To teach you must be a life-long learner and have a high-improvement drive. Teachers should constantly be reflecting, assessing, and or evaluating their curriculum/classroom experience. I find it very easy to spend too much personal time working on this important issue. To balance this, I set boundaries and goals for myself. For example, I will limit myself to a certain amount of personal hours a week or day to spend time on this. I find it helpful to keep a list of things I want to change, add or improve for a given class in my curriculum notebook and then I work on those ideas/changes accordingly. To determine what to change, add or improve I survey my students for constructive feedback on the course and reflect on my observations. Donna
I learn from each group of students prior to the current students that I instuct. I listen to them and grow from engaging with them and use those ideas with the newer students. I also share my day to day schedule with them and this opens up communication on both ends which is required for continous growth for me.
I always try to put myself in my student's place & try see the topics & discussion from their point of view. In response to learning about the subject we are taching I believe that there is always an opportunity to learn, one must just allow themselves to be open & willing.
I always relish in the fact that I work with a awesome team. They give wonderful advise to me about how to teach something a little better or what ever I need. So I balance it by discussing things with my fellow instructors. I feel that feed back is a great thing and I ask for it as often as possible.
Learning is always growing.
My field has never ending learning options.
My students come from a wide background so I need to constantly change the way I teach a course.
I am other asked to co teach with other instructors.
This helps me to develop new ways to teach
