When the instructor feels bored, the students feel bored. It is important for instructors to refocus so that the students can re-charge.
As was stated earlier in this module, you can become 'rote' in your instruction behavior and not realize how boring you are till you see it via the students eyes. This part of the modules opened my eyes to the fact that I need to refocus, or rather re-energize into my subject matter.
Hi Chris,
This is so true. We are influenced in so many ways by those around us so we need to seek those that will support us rather than distract or discourage us. Enthusiasm is what will keep students coming to class if they respect the instructor and have confidence in his/her ability to share content.
Gary
Hi Richard,
I like to engage my students as well, in part because I want to see if they are gaining some new knowledge, but also in part to see if they are still listening and taking in the information. Since I teach online, I can usually tell who is listening within the first few minutes, after 15 mins, and by the end of class. I can also determine which students were busy watching tv or on thier phone. When that happens I don't just give them a verbal "hello", I also type them a message asking them if they have any questions. Good job, Chris Graves.
I agree Corey. The more the course just seems like a repeat that we have heard over and over the more the course will become painfully monotone. This would be a great way to get the students to sleep of course, but it does not peak their interest and as such, they won't pay attention. Staying active in the classroom is the key. Thanks, Chris Graves.
Just as we were shown in the training, we need to ensure that we are on the top of our teaching game in order to keep our students attention and while keeping them focused on the material and eager to continue their education. Our enthusiam is the key to our students enthusiams, getting better grades and actually understanding the material. It's like I have been told since I was young, if you stay positive the people around you will have a tendency to stay positive and focused as well. Thanks, Chris.
I agree with this 100%. I have taught this one Keyboarding course repeatedly for years semester after semester and it uses software, so it does get motonous to teach at times. It gets very hard to stay motivated in the beginning of the course when the students are just using the software and learning to type. I get bored becasue I am not quite so involved at that point as the instructor unti the entire keyboard is learned.
Hi Eulalia,
Good points all about how to encourage and refocus students when they wear down in the middle of the course. Also by introducing new activities and energy into the class at this point our motivation will increase and a motivated excited instructor does much to help the morale of the students.
Gary
In the middle of the class session, students start getting discouraged because the lesson is more difficult or they are starting to get behind with their assignments. The instructor can also start feeling discouraged because of the students’ unexpected unsatisfactory grades. All these negative issues can influence the learning environment. That is why, in times like this, the instructor needs to refocus and find ways to flush out the negative vibes. The instructor can work on strategies to generate fresh and exciting energy to create the lost excitement and eagerness the students had when the class first started. Some examples could be reminding the students why they are pursuing their degree, how the current course will help their careers, and possibly developing a fun game related to the course material.
Yes, tropy and entropy are part of life; one can sustain concentration only to certain extent. Even in nature, life goes on in cycles; during fall and winter, nature discards all the dead leaves and wood in preparation of renewal in spring.
Dr. Kim
Just like the students burn out, you as an instructor burn out as well. Refocus helps the instructor to recharge and allows the instructor to measure what was thought,and students understanding. The outcome will give an instructor insight to the student's understanding of the material.
Hi Victor,
Instructors need to keep fresh with their delivery and attitude. You make a good point about how we need to remember to make refocusing a part of our instructional planning.
Gary
We get tired and sometimes settle into routine too much. It is easy to get into a course that you've taught multiple times and get bored with the material yourself. Also, the students can also dictate your focus - if they are quiet and reserved or unengaged, that can have an impact on you too.
Sometimes their information or teaching techniques become stale or need tweeking. It's good to refocus your techniques to make your teaching skills relevant to class.
Hi Robert,
Way to go in finding redefining your focus as an educator as you need to. You know when you are both out and in the zone. So by being aware of both you can move toward the positive as you see your focus changing some.
Gary
Like most endeavors, teaching takes its toll on the human resources that we bring with us. I must always take inventory of my emotions and personal attitudes and when I feel that I am moving away from my "safe" zone I must then regroup (refocus) on the reasons that I teach as well as my need to teach. Once I attain this refocus I find that I make my presentations with more excitement and joy. The students really do respond to me on a human level when I am in the "zone".
the need to stay interested in your subject is huge, students know when you have lost enthusiasm.
Refocusing is important for instructor's because they can take the time to evaluate their classroom instruction techniques, come up with new ideas, and enter the classroom with a renewed excitement to teach the subject to students. If the instructor is excited about the class, the students will also be excited.
As instructors, we need to take time to re-energize and to boost ourselves up in order to motivate others. Recently, a student told me they loved my enthusiasm when discussing a topic that they thought would be boring however; because of my excitement, they were more interested in the topic. What this student did not know was I had to gear myself up for the lecture before teaching the topic that I knew was difficult for some students to embrace. The student’s feedback sent a strong message to me that emphasize the importance for me to portray the things that I want the student to feel, see, and become. Excited about the topic, enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn, and motivated to gain new knowledge and fulfill goals is what I hope to instill in others. Applying a Refocus strategy helps me to achieve that goal.
Yes, I agree. What I have found in particular is how much I've been cutting out from my lecture so that student's have more hands-on time! This has made the class much more fun. I also make an effort to tell students what material they need to know for the midterm/final, the national exam, what's just fun FYI.
