First, I would recommend increasing first and second wait times. Second, I would suggest increasing the use of open question and avoid the overuse of closed questions. Additionally, I would show the new instructor the value of redirecting and probing when students provide incorrect or incomplete responses.
Kimberly,
Good advice! I hope you can share these soon with new instructors.
Judy Mohammed
Donna ,
Wait time is very important. It is also very important to encourage students. Can you share another piece of advice?
Judy Mohammed
To encourage them and praise them. Giving them a reasonable amount of response time as well as asking more open questions.
To encourage students and give adequate wait time for answers and give praise.
Angela,
Very nice! I truly believe that every college course should have a presentation component for the students. This helps to prepare them for the future.
Judy Mohammed
I often do this as well as part of our course curriculum it is mandatory every 6 weeks that student complete a report and by having them do a presentation, I am able to see they have not only retained the information but I allow students to also ask questions based on the presentation and have the student respond as if they were having to teach the information to the students. I also have been often known to ask addtional question not only based on they presentation but info related that may have been covered during the course but is related allowing all students to interatively participate in answering and it just reinforces all of the base knowledge.
Tenisha ,
This is very good advice. Many teachers, even trained ones, need help with wait time, I know I did.
Judy Mohammed
Joseph,
This is true and we must train our students to use their critical thinking skills.
Judy Mohammed
If I were mentoring a new instructor who has never taught before I would share with them the following for which I learned today. I am a culinary instructor so open ended questions are what works best. The open ended questions require the students to do more than just recall the information that they memorized. We want them to understand the information in turn, I would lead into comprehension questions. I would give examples of comprehensive questions and let them ask questions in order to make sure that they understood. Lastly I would inform them about wait time. I think this is very important. Many instructors do not give students time to answer questions. They just continue on with the lesson and become annoyed it a student ask questions several minutes down the line that relates to the topic they are no longer covering.
Absolutely--it's best to allow the student time to answer a question on his own by re-phrasing a question which in turn makes him re-think a response. After all, in life we are not given answers, but must use available resources to find our own.
Sharon,
I let my students know from Day 1 that I do not have all the answers. Sometimes, when they ask questions for which I do not have answers readily available, I ask them to research the answers and I also do the same.
Judy Mohammed
Stephen,
You are very accurate about not dictating. We should never speak down to students or think that we know the most. I always let my students know that I want them to share their experiences and I tell them that I learn from them as well. My students are usually engaged and interactive.
Judy Mohammed
Hi Ms. Mohammed,
Students asking questions is a different concept and will probably take some time to become comfortable with, since teachers are usually the ones to ask the questions. If I were mentoring a new instrucor, the (3) three most important things that I can share would be:
1) Encourage questions and reinforce a culture of researching questions that may not have been clearly understood by everyone.
2) Ask students to write down questions during the period that lecture is being delivered.
3) Encourage students to think outside the box and allow them to ask each other questions in the classroom.
There is an element of risk involved when a question is being asked of a teacher or student, when one does not have the answer or lack the knowledge about a topic or the subject matter. To admit a lack of knowledge is extremely difficult and can be at times threatening. However, I think that it is important that a teacher admits when they do not know something; and tell the students that they will research the information and get back to the class.
I think that it is critical to create an environment in which students feel that they can freely ask questions on the subject matter, in order to develop their thinking.
Sharon Rogers
Nursing
First, as a new instructor one of the most difficult things to learn is simple classroom management. Many new instructors treat their students as employees without understanding that a teacher role is different than a supervisory role you cant demand performance when students are simply trying to learn the material. Next, a new instructor will also often dictate lessons without being a facilitator that works within the lesson. Interact, dont dictate. Finally, I would also tell them to try and turn simple student questions into learning opportunities for the rest of the class. For instance if one student asks a question then turn that question back on the class. "Does anyone know the answer to that question?" This makes the class become engaged in the conversation without you simply giving the answer. It fosters critical thinking and interaction rather than just listening.
Jumana,
Good advice! I sometimes give it back to them to do the research and come up with the answers. Of course, I am prepared when I go to class.
Judy Mohammed
Peter,
Critical thinking is important and students enjoy being challenged.
Judy Mohammed
Bernie,
Very good advice! On the first day, I let my students know that they need to raise their hands to respond or else we may not have good communication.
Judy Mohammed
Mark,
This is great advice. When reviewing, it is best to ask closed questions. Your points are on target.
Judy Mohammed
Arleen,
New teachers should really have all the information on questioning, which is a main element in teaching.
Judy Mohammed
