Reading your students to make teaching changes.
There are ways to read your students from day one,I stand at the door and great my students on the 1st day. This gives me several opservations too see the following:
1.To see for proper hygene
2.Proper Shoes
3.I.D and safety glasses
4.Attitude
5.Who they hang out with.
6.Where they sit.
7.To greet them.
8.Show them I care about them and the rules
Yes trying to find out their likes and interests and while lecturing using examples of what interests them helps-such as music or sports.
Hi Jan,
Good suggestions on how change in a little way can have a big impact on students.
Gary
Bullseye! Reading signs is paramount in the classroom. Use a surprise, acknowledge the lack of attention and take a break, ask students for their suggestions how to learn the dry parts, tomorrow rearrange the classroom chairs, rearrange the chapters. Invoke Plan B with flexibility and creativity.
Hi Don,
You are sending a very clear message to your students through your attitude. That message is you care about their success and future. Don't lose this great attitude and caring for your students and your profession.
Gary
Hi Don,
Thank you for the comments about being an instructor. I always enjoy meeting someone that loves what they are doing. Their excitement spreads to all those around them. As you say instructors are no different. If they are excited about their field it spreads to their students. Well said.
Gary
I,also, enjoy greeting my students each day. Reading your students during lecture is also key in when knowing when to make a change.Timing is everything. An instructor really needs to be part entertainer when delivering information to his audience/students. He/she should constantly look for hints or ques from his students to know when to break into a different teaching style or technique. Signs would be things such as slouching in their chairs, yawning, no eye contact, rolling eyes, not taking notes, sighing, pulling magazines out to look at, etc. Keep the lectures exciting by showing your enthusiasm for the subject that you are teaching, keep them involved with a lot of questions and activities and stay personable. Students need to know that you are human and that you are there because you want to be and not that you have to be. When they realize that you want to teach them they will become more involved.
I agree with the first welcome. It will set the stage for the rest of the course. What I cannot do is read the students the very first day. What you see is not what you have.After a couple days you begin to get a feel for each student.
Hi Larry,
You are right about needing to know your students. By keeping your finger on the pulse of the class you can make any changes you need to to keep the students focused and moving forward with their learning.
Gary
Reading your students is important to show them that you care about your job in giving the instruction that they are paying for.
Hi Miles,
Not only does the warm welcome do what you said it does in terms of starting the class, but this welcome will last all phase long with your students since they know you care about their success from the very beginning.
Gary
A warm welcome is always important and it shows that you are prepared and in control of the class and that you have the time to speak with the students.
i BELIVE THAT YOU READ YOUR STUDENT AS THE CLASS GO. SOME TIMES THE FIRST IMPRESION YOU GET FROM THE STUDENTS IS NOT WHAT HE REALY IS LIKE.
