Timothy,
I agree that it's important for we instructors to stay fresh with application outside of the class.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I keep myself open to learning at all times and since I actually apply my subject matter outside of the classroom, I continually better myself and my teaching techniques.
Maggie,
one of the marks of an effective instructor is to be a reflective practitioner.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I try to find out recent research topics or case studies related to the topic and incorporate them in the lesson. I always mention that-"this is something, that i learnt recently", to show that I am continually leaning new and exciting facts about the subject. I also, might do a comparison of the same subject(disease) with treatment and prevention today and years before.
I teach audio production and I keep up to date by constantly reading trade publications, purchasing new versions of certain text books I respect and read them, participating actively in on-line trade discussion forums and I work in the industry full time as well (I own a commercial recording studio) so I'm constantly pushing myself to stay at the front of the curve. I incorporate relevant new information immediately by spending time (usually at the front of the class) to show & tell the students about whatever it is that's on topic. I then integrate the new concepts into the permanent lesson plans, replacing the outdated information. I don't really struggle with balancing these things, I am an active learner (I always have been) and I naturally seek out new information daily.
This is easy for me at this time because, while I am not a new instructor, I am a new instructor at my current college. I am in my second "new to me" course in the accelerated nursing program, where I teach theory and clinical. I inherited no meaningful materials to use in teaching the courses, so I am "birthing" each lecture/class time. I am forced to learn AND develop my way of teaching the material. Spending a lot of my own time doing that, and I am looking forward to next term, when I should repeat the first course. I am taking notes after each lecture, noting what worked well (or not) to enable me to improve it next time around!
This is very hard, I work in a dental office full time and teach the Lab portion of the dental school that I am taking this class for, four nights a week. I've worked as a dental assistant for forty years and still learn new things all the time. You talk of simulation in your coarse, that is a must in the dental program. Students need to be able to learn procedures and anticiate
the doctors needs. I do have a problem with finding the correct balance.
Michael,
I completely agree that staying current on topics is vitally important for instructors.
Dr. Ryan Meers
By still working in my field I can relay to my students experiences that happen everyday. Student are asking all the time if this is the way it "really"happens.
By keeping up to date on the subject being taught, to be well prepared before you teach a course
I think staying current on topics will naturally lead to better teaching methods. So staying current is more vital to me.
Dallan,
this is a great strategy & I think helps to demonstrate the desire to constantly learn & improve.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I teach in a Technology Program and use my outside experiences and Sessions to keep up with changes. Every time the courses I teach come up for new groups of students, I spend the weekend trying to incorporate relevant changes into the Course Material. As an unwritten rule, I try to use one new teaching approach/method that I've heard from other instructors or that worked in a different course that I taught recently.
Brian,
I think is a great strategy & I like to try & get some feedback from the students as well to see if it worked or what I can improve.
Dr. Ryan Meers
As I learn something new about the field I am teaching, whether that be trying a new technique, a new trend, etc... I will immediatly incorporate it into my classroom with the students and discuss what ever that might have been.
David ,
yes & I've found with the rapid changes in today's business climate, it's important to stay abreast of those changes so we can be credible with those leaders we seek to help.
Dr. Ryan Meers
As a leadership consultant and coach, I take the approach from the on-set with any business clinet that I am not the expert, but that the expertise is in the room. My role is to expose my delegates to ideas and thoughts that will challenge them and throughy that enable them to share that experience with others, to create a safe environemt for them to practice that 'learning,' and hopefully from that, to take that learning back into the business.
I learn through sharing those experiences with my delegates. Whilst I have been in the leadershipo business 36 years, that sharing helps me keep on top of my game. David
Sean ,
I think a key in what you said here is reading the different view points; this is very important.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I teach topics that are related to current events so it is critical to stay up to date on what is going on in the world. Reading several different view points helps me increase my knowledge of the subjects. I use different techniques like small group exercise so the students can apply what we have learned to real world current events.
HA - that is a great question Ryan. As I teach in the culinary program for Le Cordon Bleu it is tough the way the schedules run. I happened this block to get pulled in to covering for a resigning instructor in the Culinary History class. I am somewhat of a history nut so it makes it very enjoyable...BUT the time is an issue. I ahve never seen this class let alone taught it. So stretching my already long day a little further has been a key. I also remember my undergraduate sitting in lectures that were so dull that helping the guy in front of me from a dangerous whiplash issue is also a driving force. So following the sylabus, but I am throwing some things that are going to make them want to learn or really come to class and not leave class early like the group was doing before I came in. Recently, after talking about early colonial foodways and completely finishing the info, the next day I had a presentation on the Last Meal on the Titanic. It is an interesting topic for many people and to stand in front of a group of culinary and baking students was a thrill for me...but get this Ryan - I got them so IN to the lecture that for the 100th anniversary of teh sinking in April they are wanting to re-create the baking part and have inspired me that I have 3 other classes involoved and we are going to do a full fledge "Last Meal On The Titanic" re-creation and invite dignitaries from the community.
So to answer your question sir - I make time because they inspire me and all I do is present in a way that excites them to WANT to learn above and beyond. I hope that answers your question - let me know if I can be of further clarity - Chef A - LCB - Atlanta
