Instructor Flexability
Instructors must be flexable to reach all the students in the class.
I also use Power Points and videos before going into lab work because it seems to help them understand the operation of the units.
HAROLD,
I use role playing and case studies a lot in my classes as well because of the way they get students to thinking and using their newly acquired knowledge. Plus, students really like working through these different activities.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As part of my flexibility, I use role playing, demonstration of procedures and letting students do the preocedures themselves.
To reach all of my students, I use various strategies. I use the lecture method along with giving many demonstrations, thus explaining procedures in greater detail.I ask many questions as I progress through the lecture.
Experiencing many situations in my class pertaining to teaching others, helps me learn different approaches to teaching. I have become very sensitive to understanding my students' intellects. I continue to develop new ways to communicate the information being taught. I think that having the flexibility is a vital skill that needs to be developed and nurture, so that us instructors can connect with our students in a larger scale. My main goal is to create a positive learning experience that will help my students feel confident in their abilities to perform functional diagnosing task in their chosen work field.
Tony,
It sure does. Each time I start a new class I am amazed at the diverse life experiences they bring into the class. I try to build on those experiences in a way that helps the students see that I am helping them move closer to their career goals and the life they want.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Having students from different walks of life makes for a challenging class to teach and insure that all of my students will get equal attention in my instructions.
Heather,
This is great advice to follow. I teach five sections of the same course with over 300 students. In order to keep my mind and approach fresh I follow a similar strategy so that each time I step into one of the class sections I am excited about being there and sharing my passion for my field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
During one of our in-services, our Director of Education made a comment to all of the instructors that is right on target with what you are describing. He told us that when he taught the same course, "quarter in and quarter out", that at the end of the term, he would 'discard' all of the notes, activities, lesson plans and projects and would start 'fresh' with a 'new slate' for the term. In that way we don't become 'rote' in our presentation of the material. That strategy encourages us, as instructors, to be creative and imaginative in presenting our course as well as open new pathways to accommodate the various learning styles and intelligences of our students. I now use this 'method' since I teach the same courses, "quarter in and quarter out" and the results have been rewarding for me and my students.
Carmen,
How do integrate flexibility into your instructional delivery?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I find it easer to be flexable
Every group of students has a mix of different types of learners. Being flexible as an instructor and use all the methods is not only fair to everyone in the class but makes teaching fun and diverse. too many instructors develop one method and stick with it, no matter what the student mix is...
I agree with Mr. Hackaway read text word for word and include "real life" experiences as part of it. Then trough demos give the hands on to reach those that are hands on learners.
In addition to lecture, I use Power Point, videos, hands-on training, and group discussion and role playing. Some people get it better if they see it and touch it, some people need visual stimulation as well as hearing information. Role playing allows them to relate the information to themselves.
Dana,
This is such a key point for instructors to understand and be able to do. This is how you keep your students engaged. If you don't they will drift away and the instructional process is lost. There must always be a Plan B or C when A does not work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is true that an instructor must be flexible to reach all the students. There have been many times that I have had to stop the direction I was going in class and go in a different direction because I could see that the class was not getting it. You have to be able to see when the class is not doing well and adjust.
The strategies i use in the classroom to reach all of my students are too teach on all different styles of teaching! and yes assesment.
I read the text word for word from the book, I then explain or simplify it like in a normal conversation then if possible I will draw examples or pass physical examples around the class while having a question and answer period.
Stephen,
You make a very good point. I just completed teaching two sections of the same course, one during the day and one during the evening. The students in each class were completely different from the other section. This is where we as instructors have to make adjustments to keep our course on target and our students engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
