david,
With the amount of information available, literally at our fingertips, it really is fairly easy to stay up to date with new trends that impact our field. I try to pay attention to trends that aren't directly related to my field but that seem as if they will have an impact.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I am always looking for new methods, ways,to teach my subject in a different way,and to do that I am always on the lookout to add new things to my topic each time I start the course with a brand new class,and with each new class I learn at least one new thing in that course,it makes my lecture interesting for me too as i do not hear myself saying the same old things for the upteenth time!I feel I am really growing in knowledge as I facilitate teaching.
I Plan in my teaching calendar to attend workshops on the computer programs I teach, which allows me to keep current with the new upgrades. These classes keep me on my toes and they are fun too.
This is a very important and necessary step as a source of continuously improving to bring newness to the classroom. One of the ways is to try different delivery methods instead of straight lecture. I often used the first 30 minutes in class to discuss current economic events as it happen around the globe.
amina,
It really is amazing how much new information is available if we will just take the time to search for it. Also, I love it when my students bring me some new information they've discovered.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I read alot on current events which relates to the subject and research information on the topic regularly.
I am always looking for ways to learn more specially in my field,where there is a constant research going on,there are new ways to do the same practices,I am constantly looking for CME'S in the various journals,I love to Google,sometimes youtube is fun,in todays time of
technologies,I am also always giving students to look up for new innovations in their field of interest, may it be in the technical world or medical sciences.
Sometimes a student may come up with a brand new info,which helps me to investigate deeper and bring back the brand new information related to the topic.
evolution,every thing evolves in time, we must learn to increase our knowledge as time goes by, new theories put into practice give us new technologies, today we live in a world of Technology,if we do not pace ourselves with the fast changes ,we will be left behind.
I see myself learning something NEW everyday.
Metamorphosis,is what can describe me as an ever learning facilitator.
Gary,
That's great & what a super way to not only learn yourself & grow but get the students engaged & demonstrate that respect & value for their experiences.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Hi, Dr. Meers. We teach from a body of culinary techniques that are old, yet still being adapted to new industry trends. Students already working as cooks can contribute valuable insight when they're asked how things they see in class are similar to or different from what they experience daily on the job. They're always happy to be engaged.-- Gary O. Ackerman
John,
Yes, as you pointed out sometimes we don't get to determine the exact information we teach, however we do get to determine how we present the information & incorporate those experiences.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Michael,
You provide a great example of continuous learning & keeping yourself up to date in your field & also sharing that information with your students so they benefit too.
Dr. Ryan Meers
In the institution where I teach the information taught is set by the school. What I can do is present it in different ways along with personal experiences to make it interesting.
I teach HVAC/R and I'm constantly keeping up with new technology by reading journals, going to seminars, webinars, and online articles.I then take some of the new information and relate it to any topics being discussed in the classroom.
We have internet access in the classroom and on the overhead projector so I'm able to immidiately introduce these new concepts into the topic of discussion. Quite often there are links which I have the students jot down the url's and they can continue at their own pace with their own computers at home these new developements.
I am always looking for new things in my industry to bring to my students, and usually when I find a new trend or a new way to do an older proceedure, I like to give it to the class. Balancing time and course content is sometimes challenging when you want to add new things, but if you don't, not only do you become stagnant, but so does your class.
helen,
Great balance of self-directed learning & professional seminars. It is definitely a huge benefit when employers provide the funds & availability for professional development.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I like to use the Internet to find the latest and greatest on nursing courses I am teaching. My employer provides funds fjr us to attend outside seminars on nursing education, which are geared towards making them interesting and engaging the students more, etc.
Donna,
I think that we can learn a lot if we just keep our eyes & ears open & as you said engage others in our field in conversation & discussion.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Jeanne,
I think this is a great way for you to keep up to date on latest trends as well as helping your students learn & grow.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Balancing the need to learn and how to use my time wisely is a difficult task. The way I have been able to acheive this is by engaging my student in a open forum so I am able to see what my student are looking to learn. I adjust my syllabus according to the needs of the students and how they feel more comfortable in learning. Each and every student has their own special needs but as an instructor I need to figure out a balance of what I need to teach and how to present the topics to help the student be encouraged to attend class.
In the class I am teaching presently I have different type of students and I present with power point presentation, group activities, and one on one as students need.
The biggest challenge is the group activities, some students want to be on their own, but I tried to impress on them that in the real world whether you want to work alone or not you really sometimes do not have a choice. So in reality I make it a must.
How do other instructor handle this situation?
