Otherwise the course will become boring and the students loose the interest in the course itself.REFOCUS is very important for the next half of the course .I usually use the recognition through examples, using real achievement of different students.For example time by time i make a list of all students and the amounts of samples of blood taken from each of them. It makes them competitive but also its a recognition for their attempts during the course
I think over time we get worn out and our teaching methods can become mundane. Taking time to refocus helps us to reevaluate our teaching methods. Are we reaching our students? Are we teaching to our best ability? Are our students retaining information?
Hi Joe,
This is so true and I can tell by your comments you have been through this with your students many times before. It is a challenge to keep their focus on target and energy up throughout the course phase. By using the strategies you have outlined instructors will be able to keep the students engaged and on target with their learning.
Gary
Sometimes Instructors need to step back and see themselves through the students eyes. If I think that I am not giving my students my all, I know it is time to renew my focus and get my students enthusiasm back.
It's easy to become repetitive after teaching the same class several times and not respond to students effectively. Refocusing revitalizes the brain and redirects your efforts in presenting material.
It is like most things in life, repetitiveness makes things boring and change make thing more interesting. Refocusing helps break up the repetitiveness of the job and ultimately that make the student learning environment better.
If you as the facilitator have done your job correctly, that trust and bond now exists come mid-course/term. A certain "familiarity" comes into play. You know the students, they know you.
Acknowledging that familiarity exists is to understand staleness in relationships and environmental interactions can follow.
Shake it up. Reinforce standards, refocus on learning journey goals and dreams. Restate the obvious that you are their to HELP them achieve their education goals and dreams. Reaffirm the comittment to the relationship.
Much like "renewing vows" in an interpersonal relationship, it clean sheets the relationship. It empowers the partnership to see clearly and refocus efforts. It emboldens the partnership to seek further understanding of each other leading to new heights in familiarity with each other.
Then term/course ends and you do it all over again! :-)
when the subject is dry and student begin to fall off this is time to refocus and work in a differant direction.
Dr. Meers,
Instructors like students can be challenged by life's activities and as a result become complacent. Therefore, refocusing one's efforts brings life back into the classroom environment. Thus, creating a challanging and changing learning environment that keeps the instructors and the students focused on the classroom topics being covered. By doing so, the learning environment is continuously stimulated.
knowledge of the subject can create boredom in the instructor, so refocusing can regenerate her.
we all need to recharged every now and again it helps the instructor and the students benifet from it
if helps the instructor be more effective.
Hi Jackie,
Good strategy because everyone, including the instructor can wear down during the semester. By refocusing the students and introducing some varied activities you can recharge them for the second half of the course.
Gary
Sometimes,in the middle of a semester I find my students are "burned out." So, I try to refocus to make things more interesting and fun. Providing class discussions that are more creative which keeps students interested in learning the material. It seems to work quite well.
Instructors need to occasionally refocus because, just like the students, we can lose sight of our real reason for being in the classroom. We're human and we can get bogged down with the repetition of it and can end up trudging through our classes, only looking forward to the end. I know I have been there, unfortunately...and it really does affect the students and their ability to concentrate and participate.
They can tell you don't want to be there really...or that your mind is somewhere else.
We have to take time for ourselves outside of the classroom at times to create new energy and attitude.
Hi Linsey,
Good way to refresh your mind and focus on being an instructor. Through your reflection I know when you start the next cycle of classes you are ready to provide the instruction and support your students need in a way that is customized to their learning preferences.
Gary
At some point, instructors can become comfortable with their teaching style and not realize that they have lost touch with their students.
I teach where I have a class for twelve weeks. After the twelve weeks are over, I have a few days until the next session starts. It allows me to relax, clear my head, and be able to look back over the twelve weeks and reflect if I finished the term like I started it and have not lost my students. If I feel I did, I have a few days to recharge and figure out where I may have veered off course and try to correct it for the next term coming up.
Gary, I especially find this true when courses go the full 15 weeks. I try to vary my approaches, include hands-on activities, challenge the students with learning games, etc. Sometimes the issue is the weather or the time of year when many tests are given, etc. Simple changes such as going outside and having the comp students write about their observations, doing word games, seeing movie clips, etc., are some ways to refocus.
instructors energy and dedication would always translate to students success. its a cycle
