Gward It is important to remember that I am there to guide the student through this adventure if the subject matter
It is important to remember that you are there to guide the students through the learning phase and help them to understand what is behind the goals of the particular class
First of all, I did not even know there was a Certified Higher Education Professional Program until my work told me--for which I am so grateful. This has really opened my eyes to wonder how many other things am I missing out on? What else could I be telling my students? This is tremendous information that I have only known part of for my last 5 years of work in higher ed.
We are the example to follow, make sure its a good one. Never stop growing, things always change.
Instructor must always be professional and refrain from falling into the trap of students favouritism. Always seek to expand and keep abreast of the latest development in your area of expertise.
The instructor's role is very wide. They have to be a model that the students can emulate. They have to be a manager and a motivator to the students. Having technical, professional and personal competencies are probably the most basic qualifications. Seeking to improve one's competences should be the hallmark of all instructures.
lead by example. be humble and seek out more experienced instructors as a resource
Model, manage and motivate
For me model and managing a class seems to be a given and an intregral part of teaching. Motivation is key in keeping students engaged and sharing former student employement successess can be a simple way to motivate students.
Several things stick out.
Model, Manage and motivate.
The first two for me seem to be a given and are an intregral part of the teaching process. Motivating I think can happen accidentally by sharing former student successes and presenting career opportunities, this being a simple conversation that happens as a side bar.
The other thing that may be taken for granted are the soft skills, they need to be consatntly stressed.
Being on time is critical for success in the real world and appearance also plays an important role.
Unpredictability is the key component of teaching
What I took from this module is that there are several key components to being an effective instructor. It was great to see the videos from Harvard and something that stood out was that it is ok to admit your mistakes; do not go into the classroom as a "know it all." This is something that I have stood for as an instructor-having a humble spirit and admitting to students if there is a mistake. I have found that this comforts students more to know that the instructor is not perfect and they do not have to prove that they are perfect either. I see instruction and learning as an exchange of ideas; a collaborative approach. Once students see that you, as an instructor are not trying to "prove yourself", but wanting to exchange ideas and support student growth in a specific discipline.... the environment of learning (to me) is more effective.
Always show professionalism to the students. The instructor is the role model and sets the tone and relationship with students.
Having a plan for professional development is something that I hadn't thought of, but very good advice.
We have to be willing to grow both personally and professionally as an instructor. Being able to take constructive criticism and learn not only from your peers but from your students. You are not there JUST to teach them but to learn as well. Professional development is ongoing if you want to continue to strengthen those weak areas and you have to be open to it. No, we do not know everything and yes there is always someone smarter than you BUT its how you take it process it digest it and use it. Just because someone may know more than you does not make you any less of a person it means you have some more developing to do. We all have areas that need improvement! I think one of the biggest things i have learned being an instructor is to BE YOURSELF and TRUTHFUL. There is a certain standard (model) that we have to deliver in order to shape and mold our future students. It takes too much time and energy trying to be something you are not and students will see that very quickly and call you out. Communication is extremely important. We all communicate but to communicate EFFECTIVELY is worth a thousand words by decreasing anxiety, increasing trust and improving understanding among your students.
In order to conitnue to develope within your profession as an instructor you have to be willing to change and grow both professionally and personally. This is done by ongoing professional development, evaluation and leadership. We can model, lead by example and learn from our peers but we also have to be willing to accept constructive critsim and make changes to those areas of weakness and turn them into areas of strength. I know when I first started out as a novice faculty, I thought my skills and education was enough to teach nursing but quickkly found out it was not and I had to research and learn not only from my peers but from the students. Students can also teach you a thing or two if you are open to recieiving it. Learning my trial and error is not always considered a bad thing either and no you do not know everything and yes there is always someone who knows more than you. Never let them see you sweat!
The importance of personal and professional development plan. In order to become a kind of teacher that I want to become, I need to prioritize my needs to enhance my students'experience.
by trying to follow the intructor's role and competency
I've learned to always build on what skills I have. Never try to come off as the know it all. Strategize technique, delivery, and growth. Continue to build my knowledge through collegues, literature and other courses. Teaching can be challenging but yet rewarding and the key is to keep students engaged and excited.
Lead by example. The way you act and behave or even dress, will set the tone for your students.
To Be everything the student expected to be.
