Although the curriculum is relatively the same, students vary in their need for alternative instruction. Identyfying particluar student needs and refocus your attention to this detail will help in the attention of students
Agree - I have sometimes changed the subjects in different weeks of a term from the last time I taught the course because I then had to refocus and rewind so I was on top of my game and forced to keep it interesting for not only students but myself.
Hi William,
Good point. Not only do we need to bring variety to the classroom for our students we need to bring it for ourselves for the reasons you mentioned.
Gary
The day-in and day-out duties of instructing can sometimes leave you feeling like you are in a rut. During times like these, complacency is ready to move in and take over. It will eventually spill over to your students. By taking a different approach, you allow both yourself and your students to enjoy a change of pace or different outlook. It helps to maintain the level of enthusiasm that the class started with.
If we don't refocus occasionally we tend to lose our shine, just like a car needs a tune up, we need to evaluate ourselves occasionally and look inward at what we're doing that works, and what doesn't and restructure our teaching accordingly.
Too often, it seems, trying to keep to the syllabus, dealing with students who fall back as well as those who forge ahead and still keep the "herd" together, gets the head spinning. The saying "When you're up to your butt in alligators, it's hard to remember your primary goal was to drain the swamp" rings true....Take a break, a moment, a deep breath.....whatever necessary to get back the focus.
Instructors must take time to refocus do to the fact that so much is required from you as an instructor and it is very easy to loose focus on what you should be doing. You want to give your students the best of you each and every day in order to do so you must plan and make all the preparations prior to class. In order to be an effective instructor you must revaluate new material daily.
When I notice the class is in a slump I will refocus my efforts on how long we have been here and how short a time we have left then remind the class of their ultimate goal and how exciting it was when they first chose to study it. I may bring in a guest speaker in the field for encouragement or relate some exciting new discovery that has happened in their field of study. It is not always easy to refocus but you need to recognize it when it happens or you will lose the enthusiasm of the class.
Instructors should take time to recharge or refocus because the students pick up on their enthusiasm or lack thereof enthusiasm. Instructors should make every effort address refocus and face each session with positive energy and an excitement for the subject.
If you "Recharge your batteries, so to speak" you could say that your spicing thinks up. Using a different technique can change things tremendously. In a good way!
Hi Robby,
So true. If we don't bring the excitement to the classroom it is not going to come. So each time the class meets we need to be on the top of our game and enjoy having the opportunity to teach.
Gary
as an instructor you need to be charged and pumped for the class so that the students can feed off that energy
Hi Robert,
Yes, we do but we often don't due to the pressures of our work. So we need to stop now and then and reflect on what we are doing and how we are doing it. By making a few changes we can once again capture the excitement of our field.
Gary
If you don't "recharge" or "refocus" then you can get quickly burnt out on teaching and regarding the field in general.
Instructors also need to take time re evaluate on thier instructional process. For instance, what works for one class session will not work for another class session. This can be for many reasons or just based on the learning styles of the students.
When instructors take time out then they can see if what they are doing is actually helping the student rather than hindering the student.
Instructors get used to teaching in one certain way to one kind of student. In some cases we then get used to only teaching this way and we get stuck into a groove and loose the fun factor in out jobs. We need to contantly evolve to keep our teaching skills honed and to keep it exciting.
I have found that I have to refocus myself and the students at the halfway point through a term. I liked the idea of having the students list out the pieces of equipment and objectives that they have learned so far. Therefore, it gives the student a refreshment to know that they can continue on in the course and learn more material. This idea helps the students to build a sense of self-pride in their accomplishments and encourages to continue to learn more.
If we as instructors loose focus, we can easily loose the class. Taking time to refocus adds a fresh perspective to course material. Finding new and fresh ways to engage students is the mark of a solid educator.
Hi Craig,
Well put. You are in many cases the connector between students leaving or completing school. By bringing excitement to the classroom you help them to see where their focus needs to be.
Gary
As an instructor, it is vital fo rthe students to know that you are motivated in teaching them. You are responsible for setting the example as the instructor as students look up to you as being able to give them knowledge and encouragement. If you do not demonstrate motivation while teaching, students will quickly lose interest in not only the course, but in attending school altogether.
Hi Joan,
Love hearing from instructors that keep the zeal and zest for their field even after having taught for a number of years. It is teachers like you that help make English a part of the total career development process rather than reducing the course down to just a requirement. Thanks for sharing.
Gary
