Without "REFOCUS" and instructor, can become "burned out". Sometimes I find I get so caught up in meeting the objectives of the course that I don't take time to breathe. That can become very tiring.
Its easy to fall i to a rut. And very difficult to notice it even when you students are paying the price of your lower standards
Hi Jacqueline,
Good reflection point. In the hurry of being teachers we sometimes forget what brought us to the classroom in the first place. Thanks for reminding us of this.
Gary
Hi Asma,
Right you are. It is easy for a student to feel abandoned in an online environment so frequent communication is a must if this is to eliminated.
Gary
It is always important to remind ourselves why we became interested in what we teach in the first place. Taking a moment to step back and think about why our students would be interested is just as important.
Sometimes in the asynchronous environments it is possible that due to not having a direct interaction, the instructors may overlook some of the needs and requirements of the students. It can induce a feeling if instructor isn't giving a cent percent care to the students. This can be removed with an approach if an instructor refocus and recollect all the skills that he/she has and start again with complete focus.
By recognizing, empowering, focusing, “objectivizingâ€, committing, unburdening, and surprising my students, I will be able to improve my own instructional effectiveness and capitalize on my strengths as a professional instructor. I intend to tell a story and introduce a crisis in the next course I teach.
I have to sometimes refocus within a class, so that I ensure I am putting the students needs first. Each class is different and students have different needs, yet the main focus should always be student success. As an instructor, I base my success on my students' success in my class. If a student gives an honest effort and fails my class, I feel I have not given that student what he or she needed to be successful.
Hi Don,
I agree with your comments about the difference between content and delivery. We have to make our delivery fresh, engaging and motivational if we are going to retain the focus of our students. This is something that instructors sometime overlook when they are preparing for their classes.
Gary
I think there is a clear difference between content and delivery. An instructor can memorize content - after many, many classes - it is rote much like a stage play, but the delivery system, the communication strategy requires the need for REFOCUS because it is the human module that adjusts, requires spontaneity, gets inspired, seeks 2-way understanding, and exhibits the caring and respect for learners.
Many of us are adjuncts and have full-time employment elsewhere. Hence we are also involved in time management and a variety of priorities. However, we must remember why the students are there...to learn from us and for us to be the facilitator to their learning. We all have subpar class dates (I know I do since I am human). However, I treat each and every class as a performance...I expect to do well and they even more expect to do well. This is the subtle pressure I put on myself to focus. If anything, I find being able to go into class actually is a bit of a catharsis for me from work and my energy levels actually INCREASE during class. This helps me refocus and to also spread the wealth regarding empowerment.
Instructors need to refocus because at times we get complacent about what we are teaching and need to update information and refresh the way we present material.
some times you need to step back and look for a better way to present the content of the course
Refocus the daily grind of teaching late assignments students missing class and attitudes might take away from the real reason why you choose this profession. You may get down on yourself for low grades and studnets inability to grasp a concept even after it has been retaught and demonstated.
You must have the energy and enthusiasm for the subject in every class students look to us for that on days we might need to motivate them and they in turn can motivate us if we have developed a rapport with them.
Hi Donna,
How do you work to counter burn out? Thanks for you input on this as I know it will be of help to other instructors.
Gary
Basically, do not let your subject material get stale. Always add some type of new fresh way of looking at thesame old material.This approach will keep the students attention as well as the instructor.
burn out, we have to beleive we are helping the students
Hi Dennis,
Variety is good for everyone including instructors. This helps to keep us focused and bringing our best effort to the classroom each day.
Gary
Everyone gets bored or distracted sometimes. Taking time to refocus and remember why you started teaching and what you enjoy about it can be very helpful.
Hi Ross,
Right you are about things entering into our lives and causing us to lose our way. What are some strategies you can share with us that have been effective for you?
Gary
