Having a lecture outline, helps me decrease unnecessary pauses, stay on track and focused.
Floating around the class room and classroom monitoring.
I could use some improvement with using the word "um." I find that if my thoughts get ahead of what is coming out of my mouth, I will say 'um' or 'uh' to fill the silence of the two catching up. I have been working on this and have seen improvement, but I am still using them and do not like it. This is important for me because I don't want the students to ever think I do not know what I am talking about or that I am unorganized. As a student I had instructors that did this a lot, and to me it was off putting like they weren't really prepared. I would also really like to "float" around the classroom more. The classroom I primarily teach in has a square formation of desks so that the students will engage with each other more. They all face each other with a huge opening in the center. I do not stand behind a lecturn or desk, however, I notice that I only go about 3 or 4 students deep into the opening away from the front of the class where my white board is located. Something about having my back to the students makes me feel awkward. I would love to break that habit and to float all the way to the back of the class. This is important to change because I want every student to engage in my lecture; I want them to capture the material they need to be successful in their future profession. When I teach heavy lecture classes I find that my sleepers sit in the back, as well as my under the desk texters. If I came closer to them, they might stay alert and focused on the class.
I continue to strive to keep 100% of my students' attention.
Hi, Jane,
I think increasing my use of the student portal for our class would be a great thing. I use it to post grades and of course it contains Powerpoint presentations.
My colleagues are now using the portal to pose special study questions and engage students in non-class times.
Expanding my command of the portal's capabilities could make for more engaging communications with my class. --Gary O. Ackerman
I would personally like to improve my verbal presentation skills, bone up on word Pronunciations to be more proficient in my presentations.
I think the skill I most need to improve is eye contact. I tend to look aroung the room and speak to students by name, but I noticed today that I seldom look students directly in their eyes. I think eye contact demonstrates respect and sincere interest. This improvement will help create an even better rapport with my students.
Hi Christine!
Thanks for sharing your challenge. Have you evaluated why you are having these challenges? If not, I would suggest that be the first step, then you will better be able facilitate change.
Please let me know what you determine so that we can discuss a plan for resolving. I know you must be very frustrated but I also know that you are a dedicated instructor or you wouldn't be concerned.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Being successful at getting students to participate in the discussion is a communication skill I would like to improve on. I believe that is my responsibility and I want to have more participation in my class discussions.
My biggest area of weakness in this category is stumbling over words. As a result, I end up using the "uh,uh,uh" filler when I lose my train of thought. Sometimes I lose focus or get sidetracked when I'm trying to express an idea or explain a concept. I get very frustrated when I know what I want to say but for some reason struggle to find the right word to state my point. Many times I practice my delivery at home; however, there were times my practice never materialized in the classroom. I would like my instructional delivery to be smooth and polished, not choppy and fragmented.
My non-verbal communication skills could perhaps improve a bit. Our facial expressions usually are a tell of how we are feeling at that moment. Many times there are a lot of thoughts and issues that I am going over in my head that may cause me to seem as though I am in deep thought which may cause some to feel they are catching me at a bad time. However, any of my students or faculty would say I am very approachable for any reason at any time.
I'd like to improve my writing skills. I've been writing for several years. And, I have believed I could get by. Recently I completed my doctorate degree. When sent to the quality control my dissertation was rejected and I was told to re-write it. I've been receiving some guidance in the re-write. But, I always thought my writing was better. So, I'd like to improve my writing skills.
I would assess my classroom presentation needing
the following improvements: floating and
direct eye contact. I now have chance to be in
several locations during lecture and look forward to utilizing that next term. I probably need to
be a little more personalbe w/ eye contact..I
do acknowleding looks at the class group, but I
know I don't personalize like I could. I know
I need to improve to the point of seemingly almost going "1 to 1" w/ students during class
presentation.
I believe that my 'explaining skills' can use some improvements. Sometimes during instruction, I will lose my thought pattern and began to stutter. Sometimes, the same things will happen except in reverse order. Whenever I lose my thougt, silence takes over the room, and we begin to stare at each other while waiting on the next word.
I definately need to slow down when i speak, becasue too many thoughts are coming out at once, and i end up studdering, or tripping over my thoughts.
Since I teach online, I need to improve my delivery. I need to stay away from a monotone delivery and be particularly aware of the "ums" and "ahs". Also, I need to ask more questions to be sure my students are engaged in the lecture topic.
Hi Holt!
I'm curious why you think your students will not take you seriously if you smile?
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I enjoy being an Instructor and the class I teach,and take very seriously the training I provide to my students,but I often forget to ...smile.I really do have to work on that,and smile more,without being worried that my students wouldn't take seriously the information presented in class.
Hi Sofhia!
Practice and breathe! Practice as your planning for class, practice when you are talking with friends and family, practice when you talking with your dog or cat, practice when shopping or talking with someone on the phone. Nine times out of ten, the classroom is not the only place where we have a tendency to speak to fast. BREATHE, BREATHE, and BREATHE!
So - I suppose the bottom line is concentrate on what delivery skills you want to build and PRACTICE and BREATH!!
Good luck and keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I communicate well with my students. I don't seem to have any problems there. But I would like to have more interaction with the other adjuncts. We are there only in the evenings, and don't have much time or opportunity to talk or socialize. I believe we would all benefit from it.
