REFOCUS...
So as not to fall into a rut. Sometimes the daily grind of having to produce and earn a paycheck can cause us to loose focus that our students are people that are making life changing carreer choices and need our help.
LARRY,
Students like a change of pace and variety in their instructional delivery. You are doing both with your approach and this increases their ability to stay connected to the learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
We are all students, to grow we must continually learn,but sometime our machine breaks down, I plan a little diversion time, a moment of positive distraction, a game,a film some other forms of instruction, if weather permits,a class outside just to change the learning environment.
I try to recap what we've done every day so the students are aware of what they've learned as they head out the door. I think it helps motivate them to come back because they can "see" how far they've progressed. So it's a mini-refocus every class period.
If an instructor does not occasionally refocus themselves, the job will become routine. If the job of teaching becomes routine, the material may not be up to date and the delivery method will become dry. By presenting new activities or materials, I would think the instructor would naturally become a little more enthused about the topic. An instructor can also adjust classroom activities accordingly based on the demographics of the students.
Hi Rosie,
Well said. We need all the good instructors we can get in classrooms at all levels. The impact that instructors have on the lives of students is great so we need to be at the top of our game and excited about what we are doing each time we meet with our students.
Gary
I have seen ineffective instructors who should not be in the classroom until they found what I call "mojo". The "REFOCUS" acronym is basically the same concept... figure out why you are in the classroom, remember the excitement and energy from those first days, and reinvent yourself with a better attitude. It is not fair to the students as they deserve an instructor that wants to be in the classroom. So, time off with a REFOCUS concentration is the best antidote for bad teachers!
Hi All,
Good comments about using some time on REFOCUSING to get back the energy that may have slipped away during the previous weeks of a course. It is fun to plan something different or change the pace of the class a little bit at times so both you and your students get to experience some variety in the learning process.
Gary
Why do instructors need to occasionally take time and “REFOCUS” themselves in order to be more effective with their students?
REFOCUS is so important if instructors are to remain student/learner centered. Otherwise, the focus may remain on the instructors objectives and not the needs of the student.
I think it is a good idea to do this frequently. Even a class that seems to be going very well could be even better.
As, I go through each day I often find that I am answering the same questions again and again. Each student needs to have my fresh attention so that he/she feels that I am fully available to them. I can refocus myself by getting training in my field and by connecting to other librarians about their teaching skills.
I find that I go through REFOCUS around midquarter. This is where I recoup and get feedback from my students. Usually from previous requests and evals I will try something new for the quarter. I analyze how it's going and I also get the student's input. I also use this time to find out if this class is going the way they expected compared to how I expected it. If we need to, we make some changes to get things back on course.
We need to sometimes step back and reflect a little , think about what has been done and accomplished and also at the same time think of ways to make things even better and be more efficient .
It is necessary to regenerate enthusiasm and also create a friendly space for feedback when things have been going along for awhile. Otherwise we can fall into a routine of ordinariness which is not very stimulating or rewarding.
I created a midquarter evaluation that my students fill out. It lets me know what is working and what is not. That way, I can modify my teaching style to better reach my students.
We need to "refocus" to keep our students enthused about coming to class and learning.
Not every class is the same, and we need to constantly adjust our teaching to accommodate each class and the individual students. The manner in which we taught a particular class the last time may not be effective for the current group of students.
Sometimes you will end up teaching the same course over and over and nothing seems to be exciting and new. when that happens I need to add new things to the course or change the methods to add something fresh.
An instructor can grow stale, can feel overwhelmed, can get bogged down in administrative detritus, or can be diverted by other concerns. REFOCUS helps an instructor hone his or her motivation.
Hi All,
What are some methods you all use in REFOCUSING yourselves? I many instructors are looking for examples of ways this can be done.
Gary
