Hi James,
Good point. If we as instructors don't do this we can fall into a rut that is not good for either our students or our professional growth.
Gary
Hi Travis,
What are some strategies you use to keep your creativity and focus on target throughout the course? Thanks for your input on this.
Gary
Hi Sandy,
Well put about getting students reengaged in the learning process. They do fall off the rails, get tired, have family issues, etc. that take them out of the course sequence. Having a personal and forthright talk with them as you mention generally brings them back into the course flow.
Gary
Refocusing helps to keep you on track and stay committed to the goals and objectives to the course. A host of factors can cause an instructor to stray off the topic, become complacent and lose the focus of students. One must always re-evaluate where they stand with students and the course material.
Instructors need to take time out and assess their effectiveness in their teaching style and delivery. This enables the instrictor to determine if they are on track, students are grasping the main focus of the content, and enables the instructor to make any necessary changes in instructional style.
It keeps me excited about teaching and learning new things. It allows me to adapt my teaching styles as my student demographics change.
There are times when it seems the students are not willing to apply themselves and there is nowhere to turn. I think it is those times, when I think we should all take a time out and figure out how to get back on track. Usually, honesty is the best cure for those times. I have to realize I cannot be an expert on all subjects and the students have to realize they need to take an active role in learning.
we all need to stop and re-focus once and a while, if we don't we will affect our students success.
REFOCUS means:
• Recognize
• Empower
• Focus
• Objectivize
• Commit
• Unburden
• Surprise
instructors need to REFOCUS at times during the course to re-motivate both the instructor and students on achieving the learning outcomes. By recognizing the individual's accomplished work, strengths, specific tasks to be mastered (course objectives), and commitment, it gives the individual a booster of confidence, a sense of accomplishment, and a motivation to stay focused and complete the course.
Hi Thomas,
I agree with you about the number of instructors I work with that fit the profile you laid out. I don't know how they stand doing the same thing every class session with no thought about being creative nor meeting students needs. Your strategies show how a dedicated instructor can meet student needs, provide support and enjoy teaching with a high level of excitement. Keep up the great work.
Gary
A good friend of mine that is also a teacher once said to me, "It is sad. The number of instructors he sees on a daily basis claiming to be teachers, but all they have done is teach for one year, and repeat the same over and over till they retire!" This is a no brainer! If I can become complacent and lackluster in regard to the material I am imparting to my students, then what should I really expect of them. I entered a field of expertise, became that expert, and want others to have the "fire" for my field of study. How will they get it if I dont give it to them. If it takes seminars, or other means to break the same old- same old attitudes, and bring life to a class.. then so be it! We all like to play, and adults do love to be kids when it doesnt interfere with them being adults. Therefore, sometimes, in courses such as anatomy, we play "games".. jeopardy and the like.. and the two groups teach each other, while I refocus my efforts on facilitating, not demogogy. A break from the tedium initiates a feeling of relief, and a new sense of purpose.. even if its a day without a lecture, or a day with a movie, field trip, etc.. which re-energizes the instructor, and the student to strive for the success that each wishes to achieve.
Hi Cathleen,
Good plan. It is a strategy I use for my courses as well. Mixing things up helps to keep me fresh and I get to use my creativity. All of these elements contribute to an environment of engagement for both me and my students.
Gary
All of us over time can become repetetive. Changing the order of exercises in class can help. In other words, I have a set outline that I follow but have found that if I mix it up a bit and have to re-think my plan, it can alleviate some of the self-inflicted daily monotany. This tends to energize me since I am teaching in a different 'order'.
Hi Margaret,
Right you are. What are some strategies you use to help your refocus and keep your enthusiasm up throughout the course?
Gary
Instructors need to refocus in order to capture and maintain the students attention.
Hi Williams,
I like this approach. Success does not come easily. It takes work which is why many people don't achieve success because they don't readjust their efforts or attitudes. Thanks for the good advice for all of us.
Gary
I teach alot of classes through out the day and alot of students. At times my batter runs low and to refocus I will come up with different ways to present new things to motivate the students I am constantly changing it up to accommodate the different types of students
While I was in the military I was taught a great lesson about going to war. That is if you are losing a war you have to reorganize your strategy. In this dynamic world our performance will not always go according to our plan due to scope creep. We must REFOCUS and strategize. This principle must not only apply to the instructor but to any serious individual who want to be successful in life.
For me, it is an opportunity to reflect back on what I feel that could have been done differently to provide a more effective learning process.
