With each class session, I start with an outline. I find an outline helps to keep me focused on the material which needs to be conveyed.
I also have taught acting but am now teaching verbal communications and I have always looked at teaching as a storyteller. I talk to my students about learning new words in all their classes so that they can bond with new subject matter. If they know the new words for knife cuts or who invented the chef uniform then they can take part in creating a new storyline for themselves.
I have one exercise where my students give a guided imagery tour of a place they know really well. They do this exercise in pairs with one guiding the other around the room. The one being guided has thier eyes closed. They are amazed when they actually feel they have been to the place the person is describing.
We also talk about using energy and being the highest energy in the room when presenting a speech.
I am in verbal communications and some of the first words I teach my students are feedforward and metamessage. I give examples and then have them look for the "key phrases" that their other professors are using that indicate they are about to get useful information that will be used on their tests.
Listen to myself speak and being aware of my movements
Lead-in questions - I love setting the tone of an online class with easy, non-threatenting questions like:
1. What is your experience with this course material? or
2. Please share one or two observations in your reply. or
3. What are the important aspects of this subject matter?
From there, I lead into more difficult topics. Your thoughts please. Gary
Todd, you put your readings of the material into practice. Excellent comments and explanations. Gary
I have used similar communications skill and have found that determining the level of understanding is the key to an effective presentation. My student will come into my class thinking they have no knowledge of the subject matter. I will ask simple question about things they may have encountered or worked on. The student will normally confirm that they have performed these tasks and will get excited that they do have a limited amount of knowledge about the subject matter and then I have buy in from the student and the course starts there. I have great success with this little trick..
I think that there are a couple of things that I can do to develop and refine my communication skills. One is make sure that my presentations are clear, concise, and coherent in my lectures. Another is to draw on the experiences and backgrounds of my students to help foster a more collective dialog in class.
Certainly listening to yourself recorded can help you refine your communication skills. I remember taking a speech class where the instructor took 1 point off for ever "uh", "hmm", etc. and it is surprisingly how often I hear instructors say this and it can be somewhat distracting in a lecture.
Tone of voice lets students feel comfortable, to learn more, and emphasizing words helps words sink in as most imp.
Study and practice. Training is one of the many ways to improve communication skills. Additional ways to improve communication skills include the following: Be aware of communication barriers; adopt an audience-centered approach; be sensitive to etiquette; use technology effectively and productively; giving and responding to feedback; and communicate ethically.
It is very important to speak very clearly.
I also find that placing an outline of all of the items you are going to cover is an excellent way to develop your communication skills, because it keeps you on track.When I first started teaching I would lecture in front of my wife and kids.
It is a more relaxed environment and also allows you to practice.
Excellent idea! This could bridge the gap between students who need work on note taking (and retention) and those who are well versed in note taking.
Thank you for the tip.
I provided outline sheets for note taking...some key points with blank areas for the student's own notetaking/mnemonic devices.
I realized that I speak quickly and sometimes it's too quickly for the students to understand me fully
I realise that one of my weaknesses is not speaking clearly , so I am working hard at projecting my voice more , without of course shouting, just slowing down slightly and speaking more clearly. The eye contact I know is very important and to include each of the students , so thta you can monitor each of them and really see if they are following your presentation.
I always work form notes.I write my notes as I hope the students will take the notes in class. This not only keeps me focus but it also allows me to put notes on the board in the formate that I wish the students to record them. Thus my lectures help organize the studnets.
I Learned to adjust teaching style depending on age and culture.
One way I can refine my communication skills is by organising more my topics this way it makes it better for the student and they learn much better
I have recently started a new technique with my students. They come to my class after a culinary class in whch they prepare and consume food so they are a bit lethargic when they sit in my class. Before I begin class, I take them for a walk around the school and have them do some breathing exercises outside the building. This gives me an opportunity to walk and talk with them.
