i like the idea of "recharging" the batteries. it makes an instructor remember why they do what they do. and this builds enthusiasm, and helps the student get excited to learn.
Many times when the quarter or the semester comes to an end, the students are very anxious or burnt out and ready for a break. However, I think the same goes for the teachers as well, depending on the class, etc. It's good to refocus to make sure that even if you're feeling burnt out, you are still providing the students with the best learning experience possible.
Just as life happens with our students that gets them off track, the same can happen with the instructors. There are times when you have to get your head in the game and focus on lecture and the students instead of worrying about everything going on at home. I often tell my students to use school as a safe place to get away from everything going on at home and work. I sometimes have to remind myself to do the same thing. It is easy for us to get off course, discouraged, or distracted.
I really liked the empower portion. It reminded me of when you get your instructor evaluations back, and there is that 1 negative comment that can cause you to second-guess yourself. Sometimes, depending on what is said, it doesn't matter how many positive things that other students say. I now have a technique for how to handle when I am feeling unsure or uncertain.
Because it is human nature to get into a routine. To be successful in teaching you cannot allow this to happen. You need to always be thinking outside the box to keep your students fired up about class. If we start to feel "burned out" you can bet your students are feeling the same way. REFOCUS gives you a guideline to prevent this from happening.
We become stale. we start to loose out spark. We need to refocus ourselves, in order to inspire.
I also like to use this in my classes. Your right it helps them connect to others, strengthens their confidence in the material and helps others learn from the answers.
We need to ocasionally take time and "refocus" to be more effective with the students; they get bored after 15 minutes or so and by refocusing we catch their attention, just kind of having a commercial break for TV viewers. Studies have shown that the adulut's attention span lasts about 15 minutes. So when we refocus we get them more engaged and reinterested.
Instructors can become weighted down in the daily tasks of an instructor and forget that this is the first time the current students are learning this information. Even though the instructor has known this material for years, the delivery should be exciting and memorable for the student.
I make my classes very interactive. We will lecture for a short period and then do an interactive lab to allow the students the opportunity to do what they just learned. I make my lectures very interactive as well. It is always a discussion with the students, rather than just lecturing to them.
Important to reevaluate after each course and throw in a few new methods of presentation.
Instructors, like the students they teach, need to be re-energized on a regular basis, that is simply a part of being human. There is much routine involved in being an educator and that can often affect the instructors mindset. By stopping and taking the time to refocus, the instructor will be able to assess what areas of their instruction might need a bit of refreshing.
I talk to myself a lot, not just about teaching!
Bill
Hi Bill,
Good comments about the need to have a talk with ourselves when we loose focus or drift from our desire to be as effective as we can be. This talk can serve to get us excited about our students and our field once again. Teaching is still a great opportunity to educate the next generation even with all of the challenges that come our way.
Gary
Hi Sevan,
Good point about we instructors needing to bring are maximum effort to class each time. It is easy to drop into a rut and not show the students a dedicated professional educator. We can't afford to let this happen because the students won't progress and we will be cheating our students of learning opportunities.
Gary
Instructors need to take some time out every now and then because we are human. It is only natural to sometimes loose focus with your instruction. When that happens, the instructor needs to sit down and have a conversation with himself. He needs to remind himself of why he is teaching and what his priorities are. Hopefully, that conversation will result in a refocused instructor. If that is not the result of the conversation, then the instructor may need to return to a different area of his profession or choose to become an adult student himself and enter a new career.
Bill
We as instructors get burnt out too. I personally have a full time job and teach part time in the evening and weekend. Sometimes I am tired and not fully engaged. Whenever I feel this way I usually go for a walk before class begins and clear my mind. Students feed off of our energy if we are tired and not engaged they can feel it and may feed off of it.
I need to refocus, at times, to remember why I am there. After teaching one course after another, it is easy to become "burned out" if we do not take time to remember who we are serving and how important we are to our students' successes.
The way to refocus is to consistently be aware of "where" students are coming from and where they are in their own motivations. If a significant number of student in class are lacking motivation, it is time to look in the mirror to figure out what we, as instructors, may be lacking.
Hi Myra,
Good example of how an instructor can be flexible and reactive to a situation. I am sure your students enjoyed being outside in the fresh air.
You are right about the challenge of getting them back inside. If the weather is like ours it won't be hard. Two weeks ago we had 8 inches of snow and now it is 85 degrees with it turning cold tonight. Point is they will freeze out and be glad to come back inside. Good luck!
Gary
Refocusing allows you to assess the students learning so that you are able to adjust and correct if need be.
Sometimes, late into a course, students need a refocus as well as the instructor.
Yesterday, I told one of my classes that I was bored with lecturing. I told them I thought it was too beautiful of a day to waste, so if they wanted, we would hold class outside. Suddenly, everyone was paying attention. We packed up and found some ground with a little shade next to the entrance of our building. We still covered the same material we would have inside, but I think the students were much more focused.
Now, I just have to figure out how I'm going to get out of holding class outside every day! :-)
