Mark,
Sometimes these things happen with no real clear reason as to why. What you did to overcome it speaks well of your abilities as a teacher. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I had this experience just a few weeks ago. About 70% of the way through the course, I suddenly felt the class turning from excited to apathetic. I had to concentrate on teaching extra-well for the next few sessions, to recapture their enthusiasm and concentration. I surprised them, and also had to remind myself of my strengths as an instructor. It worked pretty well. I'm looking forward to this upcoming term to see if it happens again, or if I can avoid it. It was new to me.
Lyle,
What are some strategies that have helped you in refocusing your instructional effort? I know your suggestions will be valuable to other instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
it's good to take a break and refocus, sometimes the material gets stale and you need a recharge.
Blanche,
I think you are really going to like the results you get from using this strategy. It has worked really well for me for many years.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This is a good idea the 3X5 cards i will put this method to use on next week just to see if the students are thinking and totally understand the material given it will help me to refocus and add more interesting values good idea! THANKS
Alissa,
This is what make both teaching and learning fun. You are getting to be the learner before your students are because you are looking for current content that can be used in your course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In my opinion change is constant,so in order for someone to be effective in passing on information one must be informed and engaged. By taking time every so often to Refocus you can refuel with current information as well as remember why you love your field in the process, making your teaching style forever current.
I have this same problem. If try and remind myself that this is all new information to the student and they are looking to me to help them understand. By researching new areas of interest that pertains to the course work, or current events, I am able to breath new life into a somewhat flat subject.
Chad,
They sure do and there are a number of ways to introduce learning breaks into the class via small groups, games and case studies. These are in addition to the regular breaks that are taken in a class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sometimes students just need a brief break to refocus
With the technolgies associated with all professions changing rapidly it becomes more urgent and important that instructors refocus and stay motivated to learn and stay professionally involved in their fields to bring the most current and practical knowledge to the classroom.
Yes refocus helps both student and teacher to understand one another.
Claudette,
Good point about finding balance in our lives as instructors. We have life challenges as well so we need to cope with them while remaining professional in all that we do while teaching.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Both instructors and students can get in slump. This often happens half way through a course. When this happens it is time to change something up in the classroom. I have turned to playing learning games and even having a small party to boost moral.
Instrucotrs are humans as well. They have families, friends,problems, and issues too. Instrucotrs are not perfect they too need coaching and feedback to help better themselves. In taking time out for them to Refocus it gives tehm an opportunity to fall in love again with teaching. In order for an Instructor to be effective they truly must love what they do. Taking time to refocus alows them that downlaod time to relax, relate, refocus, and fall in love again with their teaching.
Francisco,
Very good point. We need to be flexible and adapt our instructional delivery to meet the needs of our current group of students. Each class is different and our instruction needs to target those differences and meet their needs.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Mary,
Good points about how to keep your instruction vibrant and your passion for your subject high. This is what makes for good teaching.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Rosemary,
Refocusing really helps to keep the energy and enthusiasm up in a class. We instructors need to remember this each time we enter the classroom.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Not every group of students are the same, it is important to identify the atmosphere of every class, and while keeping the basics we should mofify accordly.
