Growing Yourself as a Learning 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?
In my field of healthcare, on the administrative end, there is constant emerging technologies changes as well as administrative changes. I take my own classes and let my students in on what I've learned. Students love the fact that their instructor still takes classes.
My students actually help me balance those 2 needs. I teach at a culinary school and with all the new trends and equipment and ingredients and so forth, I incorporate that into my classes. So the students and I learn together.
I find there are unlimited way to learn more about the topics I teach. I keep up with new information/classes in my field by reading the current magazines, watching what classes are being offered, etc. I tell my students I learn something new each and every time I teach a class. I tell them the more I know, the more I realize how much I still have to learn. New ways of teaching come into play with each new class I teach. Different learners with diverse learning styles keeps me on my toes all the time. I take these courses and get great ideas on how to improve my teaching/learning/facilitating style as well as discussing things with my fellow learning facilitators. Learning is a life-long process that cannot be totally accomplished in one lifetime.
I try to balance the need to learn more about the topics I teach with my need to develop new ways of teaching and my classroom time, by planning and staying organized. I believe I am a lifelong learner and am constantly looking to learn more about the topics given me to facilitate. Knowing this about myself I include in my daily working plan time for learning about facilitating and managing classroom time.
I utilize current case studies in class and incorporate feedback from current working professionals that I know in the development of lesson plans and class delivery.
I definitely think student feedback is very helpful in developing new ideas/teaching methods in the classroom. I also ask fellow educators for helpful tips/new ideas that they have implemented and which have worked well for them. I also enjoy going to professional seminars for new ideas and newtworking.
Leaning new information inspires me to work hard to ensure students understand the topic I am teaching.I try really hard to set the right tone, welcome student ideas, and adjust objectives according to student responses.
Studying a topic at home always help cultivate knowledge. Also, creating timelines help manage classes.
I believe that early planning and preparation is important. I try to prepare for my classes a week in advance. I look at the subject matter and think of creative ways to deliver the information. I always think of ways to keep the students actively involved in the learning process.
I prepare for class as if I"m a student and take the tests to ensure that all of the material will be covered.
By continuing my education to keep up with any new trends in my field.
I use examples of previous coursework learned and how new ideas and knowledge have changed current trends on a topic. The old "Back in the Day" concept demonstrates to the student the need to keep current and learn new ideas.
HI,
It really depends how long/many types I have taught a particular class.
The classes I am more familiar with usually give me room to review methods, activities and things like that.
But when I am teaching a subject for the first time and the syllabus is new to me, I tend to focus more on the subject matter.
I know the latter makes it harder on the first class I teach and I welcome any suggestions to lighten it up.
Alexandra
Samuel,
one of the best comments I've heard! I am constantly encouraging my faculty to really read & take those evaluations to heart (in the right way) & to make improvements where necessary.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Kerri ,
so many of our fields change so much every year (sometimes faster) that it really is important for us to keep up to date on the latest.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I like to research and add to my knowledge in the areas I teach. Sometimes what I research is drawn from class discussion. I find balance in evaluating the class at the end of class, reflecting on what went well and what might be good to tweak. From there I may add or delete some information.
The course evaluation is invaluable for getting feedback of how your students see you. You can see trends and stop from getting in a rut. But those evals must be looked at with an open mind and with a willingness to learn.
Depending on what you teach, there is always professional growth and development to take part in. I try to keep up with the latest in my field and am always open and willing to learn!
Your field and teaching both have to be passions of yours. Instructing is not an 8 hour a day job. You need to keep yourself informed on the field you teach and on teaching methods. This can't all be done during, "working hours". The other way you grow is to learn new things with your students. One exercise I like instructors to do is to start the class with a questions of the day. If the teacher put a topic out about something new in the field and lets the students tell them about it then everyone learns.
