Instructor REFOCUS
Why do instructors need to occasionally take time and "REFOCUS" themselves in order to be more effective with their students?
To see how the students are retaining
To give the students the satisfaction in what they have achieved
Sometimes students can drive you to the point of no return. Therefore refocusing is necessary in order to do what you were hired to do, and that is, to provide students with knowledge to make it though their course successfully.
Dr. Meers and Fellow Students,
As the term progresses often time issues and class focus may drift away from the course prospectus. I attempt to keeps students focused with written daily outlines for each class that includes homework to be submitted, an overview of the days' activities, and in class and take home assignments due the following week. I ask the students to use these guidelines as a checklist for class progression as I do the same.
When I need to refocus it is easy to adjust using the daily outlines. It also keeps me focused as I take notes about each class, what in class activities were completed or missed, and where students may need reteaching.
I also need to refocus my enthusiam and keep an upbeat attitude by the middle of the term. i try to check in with myself before I enter the classroom and leave my daily life issues and struggles behind.
If I stay focused on a weekly basis there is less need for a major regrouping midway.
I agree with this, definitely time off helps but teaching the same course over and over can be trying sometimes and motivation gets low. Approaching a different way of presentation or mixing things up a bit can help with that.
Hi William,
Well said about the need to refocus and determine what the really important things are in life. We all need to do this so we can keep our perspective on life and our careers.
Gary
Refocusing allows the instructor/teacher the opportunity to take stock in what s/he knows and wants to share with his/her students. It provides a short "time out" opportunity for the instructor/teacher to gather his/her thoughts, assess and analyze what material is truly important to convey to the students and then set a new course toward delivering the material in the most cogent way. Refocusing or taking stock is valuable in daily life to help one understand and appreciate what is truly "important" in one's life.
Its important to recharge your batteries. When you have a fresh perspective on things life is much easier
Hi Gary,
I have to highly agree with the fact that educators get worn down dispite thier commitment to the students. One of the biggest dissapointments for me is the lack of student completion of home work. On one side I have students that do very well on the other some figure that a low grade is better than a zero and don't see the importance of applying themslves. Then there are the few that rely on make up times which makes the better students question why they should try so hard. I teach and automotive entery level course with quite extensive amount of material. I have explained that even the best tecs in the world will not be able to remember everthing and there will be times they need to refresh there knowledge. home work is more to reinforce thier ability to find information rather than a right or wrong answer. I,m going to try the 3x5 card technique as this will help me see if the students have lost intrest and is my assesment of thier grasp of the material is on tract.
To make sure what ever that they are about to demostrate or explain make sense for other to understand. Remember we have to show our students we are a perfect expamle as a role model.
Experienced instructors may be so much in their routine of teaching, that they forget to focus on the students. "REFOCUS" will help them get out of the routine and find energy and enthusiasm. In addition, they will begin to find new ways to engage and motivate.
Refocussing is not only renergizing for yourself but also your students.
I believe if we look like our baterries are running down our students will read into that and that attitude may be reflected in their work. We need to be the motivating force that keeps them going.
Instructors need to occasionally take time and refocus themselves in order to keep the course interesting for themselves and their students. After an instructor teaches a course several times, they get into a routine (sometimes a rut). First, the instructor needs to put themself into the student's shoes and examine the course from that perspective. Second, the instructor needs new ways to deliver the material by modifying the format, bringing in current materials, and changing some of the learning activities. All instructors have tool boxes filled with individual skills and activities. Every once in a while, each instructor needs to take out something new from their tool box and try it. If instructors are passionate about their teaching then students can carry over that knowledge and be successful in engaging in their learning process and in their careers.
Instructors need to refocus to remain fresh. It allows the instructor to step back from the situation and look at the class in a new light.
Hi Susan,
Good advice for all instructors. We need to pause and think why we are teachers and then reflect on why we are teaching the subject we are. This will help us to bring our very best set of skills to the classroom each time we enter it.
Gary
If we teach the same class over and over again we do need time to refocus and take a new look at our class and perhaps refresh our teaching to make it new and exciting again. Sometimes we can get stuck in a rut and become boring and then the class will not be interesting to the students or to us who has to teach it again.
Dr. Meers,
It is a human nature's characteristic that we get tired and bored and even discouraged when doing same routine on daily basis, especially if we don't get the expected results or even the appreciation for what we did. Refocusing includes self motivation and rebuilding the enthusiasm about the course and about helping students enjoy the knowledge. Definitely we need that, otherwise we burn out and become less effective in the learning process.
Hi Joel,
This is what being a dedicated instructor is all about. Being able to modify instruction so it is targeted is a great asset to have.
Gary
