really feeling run down
I find myself caught up in teaching a class and not teaching the students and that is what gets me run down. It is when I start to look at the students and recognize that they are feeling down about the class I am teaching I find that I have to push that wall down and ask the student what they need from the class in respect to the first set goals. I guess this is my way of recharging my batteries toward the class and the students
Susanne,
By using the activities like you are you are increasing the value of the content with your students. You are showing them that their efforts are paying off because you are helping them to not only expand their knowledge and skills you are helping them to see the ROI related to their career development. Keep up the good work!
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Annshawn,
I love it! I find that my students also enjoy these sorts of activities. It is great that your students were learning and that they did not realize it. In my classes, I always have a hands on activity each hour of my class. I provide the lecture first and then, I use these sorts of activities, such as field exploration activities (I teach science and environmental science classes!), to input the lecture information into my student's work memory.
Any other thoughts?
Susanne
Annshawn,
Your comments made me smile because I have learned that adult students are just tall children. They still love to be recognized and rewarded. A few pieces of candy and your students were doing their best to get one. These are fun learning experiences as well as good learning strategies.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also agree the students love variety, Just recent I developed a trivia game and passed out candy to the individuals who responded with the correct answers. It was inexpensive and the class totally enjoyed it. It was something that was out of the norm and it contained relevant course information.
Nicole,
The advice I would give as you start to feel this way do something different in your class that increases the energy level. Bring in a guest speaker, do a case study, maybe even play a game like Jeopardy with the questions coming from the course content. Something to break the routine and get your mind going in a different direction. This will help you to avoid getting to the point that teaching is punishment instead of an opportunity.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Any advise before you reach this "run down" point. Or is this common for an instructor to go through this no matter how prepared one is?
When I notice I am feeling run down, I just switch things up in class. Usually when I am feeling run down the students begin feeling that way too. It helps all of us!
Judy,
I agree and feel that this type of planning is essential for effective instruction to occur. If a routine is set that does not engage the students then time is being wasted in the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel an instructor can get caught up in a day to day routine of teaching and lecturing the same way all the time. An instructor must plan ahead...mix things up, to hold the students attention. Open discussions are wonderful!
Jeffery,
I think it is a good way to recharge your batteries. You are pausing, reflecting and thinking about how you can be more effective as an instructor and this is critical for your own continued growth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
