Get Your Students Hired
I tend to be as informal as I can in the classroom. I find that it helps me relax and also puts the students at ease, but it isn't always easy to know where to draw the line. What experiences have others had regarding this issue?
My style is to be informal as well. I try to get to know my students but I always keep it professional. I want them to know I respect them and that they will respect me as well.
Janie,
I agree that it's important that we create the professional, yet relaxed atmosphere. Movement around the class is a great way to connect to the students too.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Keeping a serious and proffesional atmosphere , letting students be relaxed in the class. It would be good to have the instructor not sit at his or her desk, you can get a better feeling and introduction in class.This will help already if needed to be close to the white board.
Rick,
I like this idea, although I will say that sometime requiring instructors to sit is constraining for some. I've tried to lead discussions seated, but too often have to bounce up to use the white board. In these situations I encourage my students to do the same.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
My teaching style in the classroom is very informal. Although I agree that this approach creates a more relaxed atmosphere, I think the more dominate students often get the wrong impression. Frequently they misinterpret my casual-style and the once, well-mannered pupil starts pushing boundaries (swearing, texting, etc.). In order to conduct a professional, informal classroom, I think it is important “to draw the line†immediately, respectfully and consistently.
Well, for me, I have banished lecterns from the classrooms in my program because our students don't dig the formality and I want my instructors moving though the class area. But one thing I have often used is the "instructor seated" technique, particularly for discussions because it gives students a sense that their opinions and thoughts matter. Lectern-facilitated discussions are often very intimidating and give students the feeling of being "preached at".
This mode only works for teaching students how to preach at a bible college. Otherwise, I'm a big advocate for losing the lectern.
-R
I guess it would depend on your definition of an informal setting. In the past, my favorite instructors were the ones that allowed for discussion. They allowed students to ask questions, allowed students to share their opinions and challenged students to think critically (about past experiences and life in general).
How do you define an informal teaching/ facilitating style?
Martin,
I think an informal presentation style in the classroom is a good idea, as long as we maintain the professionalism. Informal does not have to mean sloppy or chaos, but rather a sign to the students that we are hear together & let's "talk."
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.