With today’s level of information available online, I believe it is imperative that the instructor "learning facilitator" adopts the idea of learning. "True knowledge is knowing what you don’t know." I particularly like the thought you shared that individuals that write books don't like learning something new because they don’t want to go back and change anything. Nevertheless, with us instructors we have our set ways and delivery methods that we have utilized for multiple years. Undoubtedly Learning Facilitator is my new title :-)
I think that both aspects are important to being a good instructor. What I have found to be helpful is simplifying the information and using many means of getting the message across. Visual aids that can be put up for the student to copy at their leisure helps when there is not a lot of time to give an extensive lecture.
As an instructr I am always learning new topics to discuss in class. Depending on the content, I will always try a group activity or maybe a jigsaw activity.
I find that the jigsaw works best because it promotes discussions in class
-Jennifer
I teach a Photoshop class. The program is quite deep and although I have been using it for many years, I still don't know everything about the program. I encourage the students to share with me and the rest of the class, anything that they discover while working on the assignments. Mostly they are great about that. Once in a while, I get a student who thinks that if I don't know everything, then I know nothing. One term, I had a student who felt that way, and her opinion was viral.
The evaluations I got from that class prompted my department chair to sit in to do an evaluation of my classroom technique. One of her critiques was that I should present my self as an expert, and not let on to the students that there are some parts of the program that I have not used and am not familiar with. I feel it is better and makes me more credible to explain how deep the program is and that although I have been working with the program for x many years, I still don't know it in it's entirety. They need to immerse themselves in it, and will be continually learning new tools and commands as they use it. For most of the students, this is the motivation they need to use the program for other class assignments while they are learning it in my class.
Absolutely Roger!
Students must believe that we know the subject matter. If they don't, we aren't likely to be successful in a classroom setting. Students give us our power.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Wonderful Christin!
Doing these types of things for ourselves builds our self-confidence in our knowledge and teaching abilities. It helps us to expect the unexpected!
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I continue to work in the field that I teach so I can bring fresh situations on the discussion topics. I ask for other instructors input on their techniques.
I tell my students the first day that if they hear me say something that they think is not correct to question me politly. I let them know that I do not know everything and at the rate that our field is changing they may have newer information than I have. I let them know that I am constantly reading new information pertaining to the course material but differtent people have different opinions on how some things work. This not only puts them at ease but it also challanges them to pay attention in class to try to catch me on something they know about. We can all learn something new.
I am a learning facilitator. I consider myself a student of my topic and as a result new information is constantly being woven into my class discussions. Keeping the information fresh for myself adds an enthusiasm that I believe is inviting to those participating.
When I learn something new it helps me create a new opportunity for teaching in a different way. I think there is always room for both.
I was finding the the textbook I was using for my class was getting a bit boring so I pulled out another book I had on the topic and created a case study we used in class. It turned out great and I think the students were appreciative that I had made the effort to make the subject more fun and collaborative.
I feel you need to have a handle on what you are teaching before you can develop a plan to teach
Hi Eric!
Learning from colleagues is just another excellent way to learn new techniques and gain additional knowledge. Being open to learning is the key to growing yourself as a learning facilitator.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I constantly research by going to events, blogging & internet & networking with fellow instructors to find out what they are doing in the classroom or lab setting.I like to find out their approch & than share how I do it.it has been effective for me & also builds team work in our department.
I find it necessary to speak to other instructors regrading their techniques, and use the knowledge i obtain from them to create a teaching module that enables me to both process what i am to teach better and thus be better prepeared for what i am about to teach.
Hi Mark!
I like to think of myself as a student as well. I make sure that I learn something new as a result of preparing for class in addition to being part of he body of the class. People from all walks of life have some very important things to teach us. Just be open to learning and walk in whenever that door is opened.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I balance the need to learn and develop new ways of teaching for the various topics I teach by always staying abreast of the trends. In staying abreast of the trends it always gives me new topics to discuss with my classes. And when I have those discussions I try different ways and styles of presentation. It is always interesting to view the outcomes of the various conversations and topics. Sometimes the response stimulate interesting and intelligent conversation and other times it not only enhance my students thought process but it bring about enlightenment and change.
I currently work full time in the industry I teach. It helps me to stay current and fresh. I share each day with the students "what happended at work" stories.
Understanding the learning objectives of the course for that day and highlighting the "must know" points have provided me with a structured plan on how to deliver the content with active participation from the students. While there may be some challenging areas that I must fully understand that may take more time to prepare, having a plan on how to deliver those using fun methodologies, i.e.role play, has allowed me to enjoy the delivery as well.
I am still trying to figure that out.
