Lawrence ,
one way I've found is to keep things moving. This may mean breaking up a longer lecture with quick hit discussions or paired conversations.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I would seek to improve my verbal communication skills. The reason being is because of the demographics and cultural differences among students, although they may all speak a common language (English), something that's being said could have very different meanings within the same language. Take for instance, the phrase "okay" can mean to some, "yes I understand with no form of action behind it." On the reverse, "okay" can also mean to others, "yes I understand and I will act now accordingly."
I am always looking for new and creative ways to communicate with my students. Especially with the young student communicating with them can be challenging. My challenge is staying engaged with the younger students and making their learning environment relevant and current.
Gail,
and it allows you to really focus in on those key points & be sure you are understood.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Susan,
it is amazing when we experience this kind of audible feedback; it can definitely help us be aware.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
My ability to speak coherently and succinctly. I believe this enables understanding, but also encourages questions for those students whom don't understand the key points
I attended a public speaking course where a member of the class had the job of using a clicker every time the speaker used 'filler' words such as 'um', 'ah', etc. I was shocked how many times I got clicked!! This is something that I've been cognizant of ever since.
Jodi,
this is a good idea as it helps you know that you've reached them & also frees you during the lecture to focus on teaching & not agonize over whether they are getting it or not.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Improving my communication skills is an ongoing process. Learning how to communicate concepts in different ways and words will only help me with assisting my students and understanding them and their individual communication styles as well.
I think we as instructors are often our own worst critics. I have questioned whether or not I've actually reached my students at the end of lecture. To help curb this, I have started giving out a 3 question log. These questions ask students to recall 3 things from lecture that they learned, a space to ask any additional questions if the student needs a further explanation on something, and suggestions about what they liked about lecture that day. These responses help me to continuously improve my lectures.
I wish to improve my verbal communications. Because my voice is very deep, at times the student have a hard time understanding my words. I have to talk slower.
Kola,
this is an excellent point regarding our stories & their potential power. Keep in mind that they more detailed they are, the more difficult it will be for our students to grasp the point.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
One thing I have learnt over the years is that while I am teaching students, I have also had immense opportunities to learn too. One such opportunity always presents itself when I make a mistake. I always see these as opportunities to learn so the mistake s are not repeated.
I found stories to be very good if concise and directly relevant to the aspect of the course being illustrated.
I would like to improve on the aspect of moving around the classroom in order to take control of the class, see every student and make the entire space my classroom.
Nothing really I have been doing this for over 20 years and am open to listen to my students and am easily accessible as well as making it known my intents and purposes in the classroom. The only improvement is to use note cards during class more instead of relying on power point so much because I do have a bad habit of getting stumped in a power point if the information is too jumbled and combined.
I would like to improve my communication skills. I am sort of an on task person, to the point of my lecture and plan at hand. I don't engage in a lot of discussion excepting getting my points accross and asking if the students understand. If I do not get negative feedback, I move directly to the next point in my plan. I usually get through classes quickly. Nuts and bolts and done.
I often have students ask me about my personal experiences in the workplace setting and it really helps them with understanding the content of the material that I am presenting to them.
Ian,
this really is a great way to help our students learn & also help them know that it's okay to make mistakes & that it will happen to them too.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Mistakes are a part of learning and I also use my past mistake as a learning tool it also helps students to see how they can avoid them
I would like to improve my interaction with students who try to use a cell phone to text in class!
