Hi Zena!
Great recommendation! I really like having guest speakers who can reenforce what we have discussed.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Greetings Laurent!
I couldn't agree more! Instructor preparedness is a key to student success!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Greetings Alan!
Thanks for all of these great suggestions. I can just imagine how interesting you make your class.
Jane Davis
Ed107 Facilitator
the more you know about a topic the easier it is to develop new way of delivery and strategy.
teaching means passing and giving knowledge or informations to others. the way they receive it is only determined by how well you know that topic and how well you deliver it.
the needs create the means and the means justify the ends.
time becomes an issue if you're not ready.
Bring in collegues and students who are enthusiastic and have diverse outlooks on the topic/subjects So students see instructor and others genuinely learn more about the subject/topics So a stimulating dialoque can occur
Yes, I like the words "little" and "tweaking" here. At the risk of sounding a bit defensive, and I see that I am not alone in this forum, my "balancing" of needs tilts very much more to staying in step with a rapidly changing field i.e., knowing my topic, than with feeling some complelling need to overhaul my methods of delivery. I do not claim to have perfected teaching, but I am fairly happy with the results I have achieved over the last twenty-plus years. My classes have almost taken on a life of their own with each successive class subtlely making small changes on content, timing and method. Sometimes this happens without my immediate knowledge, but when I look back over time, the evolution is clear. I think it's a natural course when attententive and truly connected with your class.
At times I have found it hard to manage my time between expanding my expertise of my subject area and perfecting my actual course and course delivery. One technique I use to perfect classroom time is keeping a journal of my classroom experiences. If a certain lecture didn't grab the attention of my students, I make note and also brainstorm on some ways I could improve. That way, when I broach the subject in the next term, I haven't forgotten that that particular section was a challenge. I am prepared to make a change to better my classroom time. Even after I have become very familiar with my course, I am still constantly adjusting it. In healthcare education, constant adjustment is required since healthcare is always changing. If I don't keep up with the changes than my students will lack the most up to date information.
By staying up on what is hot and new. Reading periodicals and online articles that pertain to those specific topics, going to exhibits, talking with contemporaries in the field. Also experimenting with the course and in the classroom. Changing the curriculum format. Using and updating power point demonstrations.
I try to take a few hours each week to research new visuals concerning the topic (Sketching for Interior Design) and methods of arriving at those visuals. I teach very 'organicallly,' meaning that I have a basic syllabus that can be adjusted according to the students' learning levels and needs. I make certain that my materials are well-organized for the demonstra-tion and that I allow for enough time following the demo to work with each student and assess how they need to grow in their techniques and bring them 'up to speed.' I frequently work one-on-one with my students and play opera music in the background for a 'cross-cultural experience.' It tends to make the class time more enjoyable and facilitates a 'flow.'
I teach Sketching for Interior Design at a design school in a large city, and I have found that it stimulates learning for the class to begin a new assignment with a demonstration which will extend through the first third to half of class. Following the demo and questions I sometimes schedule a field trip to a nearby cultural center whereby students will view design work that contains the type of subject matter just demonstrated. This has served to stretch their sights and present them with additional ways to approach the assignment. This is much more invigorating than only using PowerPoint to show examples before demonstating, although PowerPoint can be used additionally. The more visuals and great examples, the better!
I find that new editions or different texts will help you brush up on content, but I also check internet sources (when applicable & appropriate) to find more current & broad understanding (or misunderstanding!) of course material. I incorporate pop-culture references into my material to engage the students and give them something to relate to so the material will not seem foreign &/or unapplicable to their lives & experiences. I also look for seminars/lectures/etc to keep current.
Bravo Maggie - Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I constantly investigate additional material relevant to my class and incorporate it via new projects and visual aids during my lecture periods in class charlotte segal
Typically in working with adult education, I find that my students have knowledge and experience that teaches me something I didn't know each day. Giving them the opportunity to share this knowledge not only benefits me, but the whole class learns from each other and the net effect is far greater than one instructor's knowledge. My students "grow" me!
It's always a challenge learning more about your topics...I sometimes think that I live in the History, Discovery and Arts and Entertainment channels looking at new programs to bring a new point of view to my teaching. Also, I have been working on mastery of PowerPoint so that I can show images in more interesting ways that in old fashioned slides that actually are still more commercially available.
I read all design articles in local papers and bring to class attention if topics appear of interest as relate to majors students are involved in...I plan field trips as relate to topics of current class focus.I compare success or failure rate of my class after each quiz to see where information was not underastood and repeat that information in easier to be understood manner.
I try to be prepared as much as possible for every class. I feel more confident and more apt to try new ways of presenting the material if I am prepared.
I am always trying to learn more. We are in an everchanging career. I learn a lot from my peers and coworkers.
With that I work on efficiency which is what helps determine the success for the day!
Hi Mehmooda!
Good observation! I agree that changes are necessary for successful classroom presentation. I believe students can tell when instructors become stale and the material presentation is boring.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I agree that when you are more confident about the material you are teaching. A faculty might get comfortable and do not want to make any changes to their delivery methods. I teach cover mathematics ranging from Basic math to Algebra, and since it?s a design school you have to change the material that makes sense to the student. You do have to change your delivery method so its interesting for the student.
