It is important for instructors to REFOCUS in order to keep the class fresh and to maintain enthusiasm for the class. REFOCUS strategy is a great tool for maintaining that effectiveness in class.
As the term progresses, the initial excitement can decline for both instructors and students. As students get busy with more complex assignments for multiple classes, there might be lower test scores and/or late assignments. An instructor might lose enthusiasm by focusing on getting the daily tasks done. By refocusing, they can remind themselves and their students of all the progress that has been made, and change it up to re-energize themselves and their students.
because the instructors are students themselves and are thus more in tune with the pressures of coursework, Occasionally an experiment or a topic will take longer than planned.
Hi James,
Mid-course wear down is common. It is at this time you need to bring out your very best engaging and dynamic class activity to catch the attention of your students. You might even organize a little competition to review the covered course content. Anything to vary the pace a bit and get the students excited about the upcoming course subjects. I put together teams and we do Jeopardy playoffs. The students get a change of pace and we are reviewing the course content. Then we have some pizza and move to the next section of the course.
Gary
Hi Kevin,
I am sure you do. As chair it is your job to be the team leader and I am sure at times this can be frustrating when you see instructors that are not giving it their best each time they teach. By recognizing it and then offering them opportunities to be re-energized and excited about what they are teaching you can be of a great service not only to the instructors but to the students as well. The students will get to see focused dedicated instructors as their role models and it results from your encouragement and support. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I notice that during the middle weeks of a course, in between the initial entusiasm and the push to complete projects and finish, that courses and students tend to bog down, and classes turn to drudgery. Instructors need to look within themselves and get recharged, to make classes interesting and contiue to involve students in learning.
I believe sometimes we believe we have encountered all situations in the classroom, especially when we have been teaching for many years. We have to step back and realize that there are always new things to learn and new ways to learn them. Refocusing helps us to do this and makes us better educators.
I see this as an important issue. As Department Chair it is easy to spot complacency. Keeping instructors fresh, energized and refocused is the commitment we all make to the students.
It is important to refocus so you don't fall into the same cycle when presenting new material, students thirst for knowledge dies out with repetition of the same antics so being able to take a look within yourself as a professional and as a student will give a better synopsis of how to deal with the new situation at hand.
WE seem to fall into ruts in our delivery. Also it is easier to keep doing what you have already perfected that adjusting and adding something new.
Hi Joseph,
I wish you the best in your new adventure. Talk to other teachers and think about instructors you have had and you will come up with a number of activities you can use that will help you to make your course engaging.
Gary
As a new instructor I like to make sure I have new and inventive ways of presenting our material, so students won’t get bored in class, or maybe fall asleep in class.
With the ebb and flow of instructor motivation and student performance, refocusing requires the instructor to evaluate his own contribution to the process.
I do not think instructors “Occasionally” must “REFOCUS”, but they must perform this reassessment to be effective. Even though I teach short courses, 2-4 weeks, this type of revaluation process has been very useful.
My organization conducts courses that are short-term, high impact, and long hours in order to accomplish specific career enhancing requirements. With this stressful type of schedule the instructor must continually be vigilant after the mid-point of the course to foster positive attitudes and a good educational environment.
The other influencing factor is the second half of our courses is where our students begin to apply the concepts taught in a very rigorous practical exercise, where they must work well above the level of their normal comfort zone.
Teaching is just like any other skill, without fine tuning we become out-of-date and stale. When we REFOCUS we can take a personal inventory of what we are doing well and what we need to improve upon. REFOCUS also allows us to recharge our batteries and take a moment to reward ourselves. The better we feel about our ability to deliver the content the more successful we will be in the classroom.
Hi Jamie,
Good point. We need to remain student focused in our instructional efforts.
Gary
Hi Gregory,
This is a great professional development plan designed to keep you fresh. I too like and take the opportunity to teach new courses because then I have to dig into the field and develop new material and activities. This keeps me fresh and the excitement level high. In your case I know your students benefit from your effort to remain cutting edge both in terms of delivery and content.
Gary
The learning process is interactive and often we get caught up in the teaching aspect. It is crucial that we stop and consider the student's perspective. As this section discussed, it is also a good way to keep ourselves motivated and effective in the classroom.
Jamie
After 18 years of teaching, I feel qualified to answer this question. (LOL) After teaching the same course over & over again and to the point you don't need lecture notes or the book, it is time for a change. I often ask to teach a different course so I get to be excited about something new. I also like to join a group or organization dealing with the subject matter - often, the interaction will rekindle the flame. Finally, I like to have my students teach a chapter from the book using OUTSIDE sources to emphasize the material. It always amazes me that they offer something new and exciting.
Hi Amalia,
What a great way to teach. Both you and the students can feed off of each other and between you both have the energy and excitement needed to keep the motivation high.
Gary
