My colleagues and I are required to hand out risk of failure notices to students who will not be passing the course. This is always a very hard time because, sometimes, you realize how few take the curriculm seriously. This is a very important time for an instructor to "REFORM" and stay positive even if it feels as though the message has not come across clearly.
Instructors can become complacent at certain intervals in the curriculum. We need to think of different ways to kick start our own enthusiasm to reach the student and kep their attention.
In my experience as instructors get used to the material many of us get into slumps and do not necessarily make the material as interesting as it can be. Creativity stops at times with everything that needs to be done. As things get redundant for an instructor it is time to take a break and refocus on why we teach.
As instructors we need to refocus on the information that we are offering to our students and how are they learning, do we need to change our teaching style to help then in the process of information that they are to learn in the praticular cours that they are taking.
taking time to refocus allows instructors to avoid ruts and make adjustments to teaching styles in order to effectively reach all students.
This is something that I have done personally, and have found to be very beneficial to my classes
We don't want to fall into a rut. We need to come up with new ways to present lectures, etc. and to keep them interesting to the students. We want them to want to come to class.
Throughout the quarter and at different times in a person's teaching career it is good idea to take time out to be a reflective instructor. I find that this makes an effective and "in-tune" instructor.
In the past, I found this helpful if I am seeing a handful (or more) of my students who are struggling in the course or if it is half way through the quarter and the class needs a little "boost." At that time I look at activities, teaching style, and delivery of the materials and see if there are small changes that I can make to help my students have an improved class.
Hi Shiomo,
That is why you need to be organized and clear on how you are going to manage the class. This will reduce the need to spend time on behavioral issues and can concentrate more on students and their learning of course content.
Gary
Hi Katrina,
Great to hear! I wish you much success in your teaching efforts and as a result of your efforts I know your students are going to benefit from your dedication.
Gary
I totally agree. Sometimes teachers forget what it's like in the trenches!
all topics get old even if its something you love to teach, you need to change up your style so you can stay interested, this will keep the students interested and focused
Maintaing classroom "behavior" is time consumimg and draining. It can take the focus off what you are really here for.
We do loose track of why we are teachers in an ever changing teaching world. We have so much else to deal with that it is nice to reflect on yourself every once in awhile.
It is important to prevent instructor burnout and take view from another perspective.
As an instructor, I think it is important to REFOCUS so I know that I'm making enough connections to the objectives and overall goals of the class, throughout the quarter. I like to build on discussions and show students how all of the pieces come together as a whole. Although I used some of strategies you mentioned with REFOCUS, I did find some new things that I hope to integrate into my current practices.
It is a time for you to objectively anaylize how to recapture your enthusiasm and excitiement for the course - to help both you and the students gain back the motivation and energy that sometimes starts to wane at mid-qtr.
We need to do this for both ourselves and for our student. It is important that we do not get complacent--this is easily picked up by students. By refocusing, we can introduce new activities, new enthusiasm, and encourage students by being sure that there is a positive environment in which to learn. Each class has a different personality. We need vary activities to make the most of the strengths that are present in the class.
We have student surveys that help me do this, as I read their feed back I take stock of who I am as a instructor and find ways to become better
I agree with this. It does a lot to just reorganize some assignments or make them into projects or in-class assignments. I think changing it up like this keeps our attitudes fresh!
I think it is very easy for our classes to feel routine and boring when we teach the same courses every quarter. I find that taking that time to refocus can help me to remain both engaged and engaging. It keeps my job fun and worthwhile. And THAT helps me to be more effective with students.
