As instructors we need to constantly keep up-to-date with new materials and instructional techniques. Taking the time to evaluate or re-evaluate ourselves as well as our techniques helps the students as well as the instructor.
Hi Mark,
It is so important that we instructors never forget the fact that we are there to change lives and give students a vision for the future. Good comments concerning the need to stay fresh so we can fulfill goal.
Gary
So they can stop the day in day out, samething everyday that gets boring and students pick up on that. If you look like you don't want to be there well they won't either. You need to REFOCUS to remind your self why you're there to change peoples lives.
Hi Terry,
I think this has to be a challenging but very rewarding setting to teach in. When you are in the real world the students can see the consequences of both the positive and negative actions. They gain their skills through trials of fire. Plus, as you say you have great examples to share with your future students.
Gary
Hi Susan
great to see that I'm not alone here (regarding the midquarter burnout). I think recognizing that its happening and then addressing the issue is key here. Generally I'm not even conscious that its occurring until a few weeks later when I look back and think, "maybe I could have done better w/ those middle weeks."
This lesson has given me some solid ideas on how to address this issue and again, its comforting to know that this happens to many instructors as well as students.
My environment (90% "real-world" practical) never runs the same for every group of students. In fact, I'm always presented with the challenge of adapting my approach to deliver a common body of knowledge to a new group, while delivering our product to real guests. I guess that makes refocusing easier, since it's a matter of survival. The experience provides many opportunities for stories (including new present day ones for future classes) and commiserative chuckles.
Hi Susan,
Good message concerning how to keep the energy level up for the entire course. As you know excitement does rub off and by keeping your excitement throughout the course the students will keep most of theirs as well.
Gary
I find that at the half way point I am getting burnt out as much as the students are. I need to get re-energized as well. If I refocus then I can become excited about what we are learning and how they can apply what is going on at this point in the class to what they will be working on soon in their final project.
Hi Leonard,
Thank you for this example of how instructors can and need to look at courses they have been teaching. Your experiences show clearly how the refocus process works to increase the motivation of instructors and helps them to see how they can offer instruction in different ways to their students.
Gary
Hi Beth,
This is why it is good to plan new activities or approaches to course content. This lets the creative juices flow and helps to recapture the dedication of the instructors.
Gary
I recently found myself having to condense an introductory course that I have been teaching for almost 4 years now, to fit into a shortened summer schedule. I found having to shake up the coursework and lectures, forced me to relook at the class. It forced me to refocus. I found that I was more engaged with the material than I had been in while, this in turn engaged the students. Now at the beginning of the term I am looking at my other classes as if I was teaching them for the first time. I think a constant reassement is not only prudent but ultimately beneficial to both the student and the instructor.
If an instructor has taught a class for a long period of time and or teaches the same course. They need to re-invent themselves periodically.
Refocus should be done in order for the instructor to keep course material fresh, lively and interesting. This will help both the instructor and learner in communication, comprehension and retention of material.
Hi David,
Right you are. To sustain the energy needed for the long term there has to be some regrouping. By having a plan for this an instructor can stay excited and creative just as you mention.
Gary
Trying to stay connected to all of your students and keep your energy level high will create a creative strain on your thinking processes.....to regroup your thoughts or processes using various REFOCUS technics will improve your overall class performance and save you from slumps.....
Hi Cecilia,
What are some successful ways you have been able to Refocus yourself to stay on top of your game?
Gary
WE AS INNSTRUCTORS NEED TO REFOCUS BECAUSE OF HOW WE INTERACT WITH OUR STUDENTS AND THE FLOW OF THE CLASS.. SHIFTING GEARS, SO THAT THE CLASS RUNS EFFECIENTLY.
WE REFOCUS OURSELVES,THE PRECEPTION OF HOW WE INTERACT WITH OUR STUDENTS. WE NEED TO READJUST HOW THE CLASS IS FLOWING. CHANGING GEARS.
Hi Dominic,
Good point about the need to refocus based upon the dynamics of the current class of students. Each time you teach a course you need to be aware of how even if the content is the same the stakeholders are different and this dictates the need to refocus as needed.
Gary
Staying fresh on any and all topics is imperative for effective learning with their students.
