Not only am I the facilitator of the class, but I am also a learner. Prior to a class, I research and read as much as I can about the topics I am discussing inorder to to be well prepared to teach my students.
Elizabeth,
this is a great example of broadening your skill sets in all areas, not just subject matter expertise.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
While I was in graduate school, I took several teaching/pedagogy courses and workshops, which is something that is not really emphasized in grad. school. These courses and workshops were not required; I enrolled in them because I wanted to enhance my teaching skills so that I would be better equipped to teach sociological content. I have a passion for teaching and a passion for sociology, so I try to keep up with sociological research in the areas that interest me. I continue to keep up with teaching pedagogy and continue to try new activities in the classroom.
Shirley,
yes, this is so important to be the "reflective practitioner" which means we are constantly evaluating how we are doing as instructors & working to improve.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I teach dental anatomy and used clay to have the student make exact replicas of some of the teeth. It was enjoyable and they learned a lot about the size and shape of the teeth and the roots.
Shirley
I realize that I have to be continually learning in order to maintain current knowledge of the courses I am teaching. After I have completed facilitation of a course and am ready to start the second session, it is easier to know what techniques really created a learning environment for the students and which ones should be changed
I try to have an open mind and realize that I must keep learning my self in order to facilitate student learning. Developing new ways of teaching is always easier for me after I have completed facilitating the entire course for the first time. I never teach a class the same way and I can compare/contrast what resulted in the most learning for the students.
Rosana,
thank you for transparency. One of the best ways I've found to stay on top of teaching/instructional improvement is to visit with my peers, observe them teaching, & have them observe me. Through this interaction I feel I improve a good amount.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Luckily I teach in a creative field and the possibilities are limitless for learning about the subject as well as developing new teaching methods to progress as an instructor. Perhaps injecting creative approaches into noncreative fields would be beneficial.
Honestly, I have not had a balance. I love staying on top of the topics I teach and I am always looking for CE in staying current however, I don't really spend time developing new ways of teaching. I'm hoping this course will help look more for the balance.
I am always looking at new ways to teach the students. Every group class of students are always different so I try to learn about the students in my classes right away that way I can modify my teaching to the the students.
james,
borrowing the brains from veteran or superior teachers is a great way to develop in our skills, both as newbies & later on.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
when I first started teaching the fist thing I did was to get with the other instructors and get some of the methods they use.one thing they helped me with was putting the students in groups and working together as a unit.
Algevis,
the balance between development in the subject matter & educational expertise is a great way to consistently improve.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I keep up to date reading a lot of research articles published in scientific journals. Also, the college I teach for have seminars for instructors that includes how to improve teaching techniques.
Cheryl,
yes, being open to learn new things is a great way to keep our instruction fresh.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
keep an open mind with what you are teaching and keep up with what is published in your field and talking to other instructors
Chloe,
and they really can go hand in hand & that makes us even better as instructors.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Arturo ,
this is great & the effort to reflect & improve is key.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think it's good to actually combine the two. The industry I teach is always evolving, and with new information it can be good to find a creative new way to teach it.
