Alfonso,
This is a very important point that needs to be considered as programs are planned and information shared. Instructors need to know what they know and what the limits of that knowledge is and how they can fill in the gaps when needed as they offer instruction.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Wendy,
You last sentence is the balance that is ideal. This makes for a great blend and enables instructors to show both relevance and application.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Todd,
You make a very good point about work experience and instructional abilities. Like everything there are variances within the abilities of instructors, both experienced and non-experienced. The key is to blend the human factor and one's personality into a delivery format that will enable the students to be successful in the classroom. Combine that with real world experience and the examples given can further the understanding of key concepts.
By the way I think I had that math instructor. It was my first college math class and I was weak in math anyway and when he walked in and started talking it was a language that I did not understand. In fact I transferred to another section taught by a former high school teach that understood foundational math. I gained experience in that class and grew in my knowledge. When I was working on my Doc I took two stats courses from the first instructor and just as you said I was able to understand him because I had grown in my knowledge. I don't think he was ever able to come down to a beginners level but it didn't matter in one since because he was so knowledgeable in his area. Thanks for sharing that story.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with this response and at our campus, we have a Dentist teaching future dental assistants. She only can give her advice as a Dentist but when the students start to ask about specific assisting questions, she can't answer them. Actual experience at that specific position your are teaching will benefit both the students and the instructor. The students will be more engaged and attentive in class. The instructor will have that respect from the students and be able to develop that instructor-student mentor relationship quicker versus the example I gave above to where that instructor will have to work harder to develop that type of relationship.
This is one of the things that the University of Phoenix touts, that all of their instructors work in their fields. Teaching skills, like almost anything else can be taught/learned. But, without having those skills, technical knowledge along does not a good teacher make. One must have both skill sets in order to do that.
I agree that work experience in the field can make an instructor very good. I do not, however, agree that they make better instructors than those who do not have that work experience. In some cases this is true, but in some cases too much work experience can be a hindrance.
For example, if I am teaching someone who has never done something to do something I have done for years like use Excel, it may be hard for me to realize that my student may not even know how to use a mouse or navigate to the program, as that is second nature to me. Some people are good at this, and some are not.
I had a college professor that was a brilliant mathematician, he, however, was a terrible beginning math teacher because he could not fathom that students in his class did not know simple multiplication and division. Once students worked up to a certain level, he became a great instructor, but until then he just could not understand or relate to his students.
This same thing can happen to someone with tons of experience in a field trying to teach others with no experience, such basic things as terminology that you have known for years in the field can be the stumbling block you don't see for your students.
Christie,
Sharing work related examples helps them to see the relevance and application of what is being taught. You are increasing the value of the content when you share these stories, case studies and examples.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree. If students are having trouble with certain concepts, I will give a work related example of how this will affect them. This help to remember the information and will demonstrate the relevancy of the topic at hand.
Our college will, at times, team teach a class. One instructor will have successful experiences in a particular field and the other instructor with more teaching background. This can be helpful to the students when the pair can work together with careful planning.
Instructors who share their experiences are creating a positive learning environment. I always make sure that I provide my student's with my background as it is necessary in building a good relationship with my students. I tell them that becoming a professional at anything requires a lot of work. Most instructors/professionals started from the "bottom". Some student's do not realize that instructors have/had struggles through their career path. Sharing this with my student's creates a sense of equality in the classroom.
