Enthusiasm for the subject matter is an important attitude for teachers to have in order to be effective. Stress, poor time management skills, and boredom with the material can cause an instructor feel burnt out. To help minimize this, I evaluate each lesson that I present. I immediately try to find ways to improve on it. That way I do not forget and don't feel pushed for time later. I feel refocused as I am developing something new. Then I have the feeling of excitement the next term when I actually implement it. As a result, I experience excitement about a new idea twice. This has been working well to help me to stay enthusiastic about a course that I teach over and over again.
Laura,
This is a good point and one we need to remember as we get deeper into a course. Our students will wear down and they may not stay up with all that they need to. So by refocusing both them and ourselves we can get everyone ramped up and finish out the course in good standing.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Instructors need to REFOCUS ourselves because we tend to get a little burned out during a quarter/semester, especially if we have mulitple classes or student who present a challenge. If test scores fall or homework isn't turned in, or class particiapate or attendance goes down, we start to doubt our abilities. However, what we have to remember is that we were hired for a reason and need to recognize why we are loosing focus in order for us to refocus.
Teaching takes a lot of energy and a lot of effort. Often instructors will begin to lose energy near the second half of the course.
Students may often suffer from "Senioritis" towards the end of their programs. It is very important to get faculty and students refocused to see the course and the program through to the end. A change up in delivery methods may be all the instructor and students need.
Sometimes, teaching the same subject over and over tends to get repetitive and boring. Sometimes you bring issues from previous classes into the current one and hurt those students with past issues from other students. This is why refocusing is essential.
Kim,
Good ideas for professional development. There is always room to grow skills when it comes to teaching so we need to have ongoing plan whereby we continually expand our instructional knowledge and skills.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As teachers, passion and enthusiasm about the topics being taught allows the learner to buy into the process of education. Active participation in the learning environment it essential for effective learning and instructor enthusiasm makes it easier for the student to actively participate in the process. We need to re-focus are teaching methodology and structure to keep items fresh and relevant to the course.
Getting too good is a myth losing focus and the ability to see it reflecting in and from your students is something we all need to do. Talk with and sit in on demonstration and lecture with other instructors. Attend training visit with industry professionals etc. to up your game.
Jarred,
Good point because we all encounter such students at one time or another. We need to enjoy those students that want to be there and provide the best instruction we can. The other students can then come along or just stall out but at least we have fulfilled our professional obligation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When you have a class with students who don't want to learn no matter how you present the information or how far you go out of your way to get them to learn it really takes a toll on you. It's so important to get refocused for the next class because you never know when their attitudes will change.
It is critical as students are very good observers. Student's will see the change in attitude in the instructor and ultimately it will change the learning environment. As an instructor moves through the course often times it is just minor changes that are needed to "capture" the excitement of teaching. However, "refocus" is vital as the flow of the class and the concepts grasped by the students will be enhanced.
KEEP LEARNING FRESH,STUDENTS ATTITUDE/FOCUS CHANGES.STUDENTS TOO COME INTO SOME PERSONAL PROBLEMS DURING THE LENGTH OF TIME IN CLASS.WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO REFOCUS THEM AND US.AND BE WILLING TO COMPLY.
Lora,
I think you may be right about it being harder teaching online. I teach both onsite and online and I much prefer onsite due to the ongoing feedback I get from reading body language and faces. Online you can get worn down responding to postings so it is necessary to step back and REFOCUS so you are ready to get back into the discussion and move the class forward.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree that I need to refocus to keep an upbeat atmosphere in the classroom. I notice that if I am feeling low spirited it reflects in my presentation. Refocusing keeps you motivated.
It's easy to get burned out from the constant pressure of being in front of the classroom. I love the refocus strategy! This is helpful when teaching an online class as well. There are days when I just can't seem to think of anything positive to write, so I have constantly REFOCUS. I think it might even be harder when teaching online.
I believe it is because we by human trait is we fall into this groove of the day to day things and it gets old.
Sharon,
Passion for one's field and enthusiasm for teaching about it goes a long way in helping students to become engaged. You are using both with your approach. I wish you continued teaching success as a result of your effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
You have to love what you are teaching. If not students will see it. The problem is when you teach the same thing over and over. Even if you do love it sometimes it can be hard to teach it "one more time". But as soon as you start to feel like that you have to look at your lesson plans and your lecture and change things up. Maybe ask a peer for a suggestion on how they do something; anything that can reinvigorate your passion.
Jerry,
Like the flow of your instructional delivery. You are using a number of different ways to get your students engaged in the learning process and letting them make application of what is being taught.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe that in order to be an effective and informative instructor that both the student and I need to reevaluate the given objectives and determine how effective they are being met.
The best way to ensure that this is happening is to test and re-measure at frequent intervals during the course. Some of the most effective methods I tend to use are:
- Hands on activities
- Classroom discussions
- Real world scenarios and experiences
- Research assignments
