You summed up the situation well. What we do about it is the challenge. Recognizing the symptoms and then redoubling efforts to make lessons engaging and interesting takes time and effort, but it is well worth it. All of us want our students to succeed and we as instructors want to feel that we have done an excellent job and that our students finish the class with new knowledge.
I challenge myself by letting loose my imagination and trying to have fun with the material. It may be impossible to make thesis sentences fun, but a lively presentation will engage the students and will give me fresh insights into the material .
Hi Cassie,
This is a very good point. Instructor introspection helps to keep the focus of the class where it needs to be. Yes, we teach valuable content so we need to remind ourselves of this often so our students will realize it as well.
Gary
I think if an instructor doesn't take time to reflect on how/what they are teaching they can easily loose the meaning and passion behind what they are trying to get the students to learn. If you take a moment everyone once and awhile to remind yourself why it is important that the students learn what you are teaching them you may get a fresh look on the subject and a new idea of how to teach it effectly.
I have found that students increasingly focus on grades as the course progresses. Using the REFOCUS techniques helps to re-orient the learning environment to the goals established on the first day of class: to help the students achieve their goals.
Specific examples or activities that mimic application of the learning topic help to reinforce the relevance of the course material. These activities help to re-orient the student to success goals, rather than just concern with their grade.
Occasionally instructors need to refocus because we, too, get caught up in the day to day grind of getting things done and get tired after a while. We work hard at keeping our students engaged and focused that we lose sight of the fact that we are tired and need "recharging"too.
As others have stated, I think one of the main reasons for REFOCUS is that students can tell when the instructor is not entirely there. REFOCUS allows the instructor to become more energized about what they are teaching.
Its easy to get burned out and become boring in class so some time off or a change in courses taught helps reenergize an instructor.
Teaching the same material over the period of the course can get tiring or tediuos for both students and instructors. As an instructor your job is to energize the students and make their learning environment both interesting and fun. refocusing can add new perspective to these things making you as the instructor more excited and energized about the course material. Leading to a more conducive learning environment for both you and the students alike.
I agree that the time off is very needed. The amount of time off differs from school to school. I know some instructors that have a few weeks off, but I only get one week in between courses. This is especially hard when trying to prepare for a new class (particularily if you haven't taught that course before). While trying to wrap up finals for one class, you are also having to prepare for the next session! I will admit that after a break I feel somewhat energized, but I still have to spend a majority of the break prepping for the next round!
Hi Mark,
I agree with you about the big A. This is so important for an instructor. If we can't adapt our delivery, content and approach we are going to have a much tougher time in the classroom.
Gary
I really like this point too. One way to 'remember' what it was like to teach the class back when it was new is to keep a journal of one kind or another. Perhaps just keeping copies of students' work from the first course alone may be enough.
Although there is no 'A' in "REFOCUS", if there was, I think it would stand for "adapt". We need to adapt our plan to the progress we see in our students so far.
At a certain point, both the instructor and student need to feel committed to further teaching and learning. We need to "remember" why we are in the classroom, refocus ourselves objectively and psychologically to finish what we've started. After this, it becomes easier again.
I like the fact that you can be objective when refocusing on your instructional priorities. Maybe what you had planned to do in class did not work out or go over well with the students. Maybe you can devise another way of presenting the material that the students will accept better.
because we fall into a rut and get boring to the student . We also start to become bored with students and sick of the problem child.Refocus gets us back on track
Hi Kari,
Good way to keep on top of the course dynamics and what the needs of the students are. Taking the feedback into consideration for planning is critical so not only can you make any changes needed for the current course but in courses to come. This is how instructional improvement continues.
Gary
Once we have developed our plans and used them for a quarter or two, we are kind of working on "autopilot." Another aspect of teaching that can wear us down quickly is a very difficult student.
Given these circumstances, it's important to take time out to refocus and refresh about mid-quarter. Our school conducts mid-quarter class evaluations. It's helpful to receive that feedback and make adjustments as needed.
The instructor as well as the student may become bored with the course. So in order to keep the students attention and to keep your energy up, it is important to vary your teaching methods to show your excitment about the course content.
Hi Kathleen,
This is a good point to remember. We need to have balance and flow in our courses or we won't do justice to the entire course not to mention how we have shorted the education of our students.
Gary
When you refocus the class it allows you to give sufficient time to all units. When I was a student we spent most of the time on 4 units and then studied 8 units in the last month. For example history class studied the Roman Empire and the time up to the Civil War almost all year and then never did do justice to WWII or any time after that.
