Hi John,
You must be a guru in your given subject matter. Preparation is key.
Patricia
Hi Luis,
I tell my new instructors, it does not matter whether the students like you or not as long as they respect you and can learn from you. Luis, you're right, it's not a popularity contest. Do what you need to do to be an effective educator.
Patricia
Know the subject that you are teaching not just the course material
My method is to be confident in my ability as a senior technician - in that roll I was more than a tech, I was an instructor, mentor, and sometimes even referee!
A lot of the guidelines set out in this module apply to any leadership position, not just that of an instructor. We should motivate those around us; leave home at home; earn respect for our capabilities, not win a popularity contest; be a leader and give support to others. The names and faces change, but the rules stay the same.
Hi Wayne,
Absolutely, you must let students know that you are the authoritative figure not them. Students will control you, if you allow them to.
Patricia
By staying professional and sticking to class policies.
Mistakes happen to the best of us.......But being prepaired is the key to limiting them.
1. Actively listen to students issues/concerns
do not jump to a conclusion until all facts are heard.
2.Be prepare do to one on one demos reguardless of how many times I have done the group demo
3. Do not assume because students had no questions they understand the material
4. Do not like the age of a person decide their maturity level.
5. Be a person of your word
6. Openly acknownlegde if I have made mistake to the class, clarify
To always over prepare yourself, Expect the unexpected from students. Keep them feeling like you're in control not them
Stay one day ahead.Course material copies,lectures,lab assignments and anything else that is on the next day's agenda.Make yourself a list if you need to at end of each day.
Being prepared mentally and physically are both important. In addition, having a full understanding of the information being conveyed to students is a must. Students have an uncanny way of knowing when instructors are in unfamiliar territory and will act accordingly. Usually this will result in a class that becomes unruly, quickly. (from my experience)
we all learn every day,class prep is first and formost.and never cover up.
Course prep, be an expert in the material taught, students know when what their being taught doesnt make sense. Have a state change, different environment for them to learn. Also, after a section of the lecture, as to not become boring, get them up and involve the students in lab.
Be professional and learn from mistakes made.
The best way to avoid mistakes is to always review the material you will be presenting.The more you teach a subject or subjects the more you will become comfortable with the material, and the less chance of making mistake. Most mistakes are commonly made from and instructor that is not relaxed in the suject.
My first class at a public school, the instructor who’s place I was taken was going to train me for a couple of weeks. Well he introduced me to the students and told them that I was going to be their new teacher and I was going to cover the next lesson, and than left the room!! (I have never taught before in my life), I asked a student what the nextlesson was and took his book, I skimmed throgh the lesson to see the order it was in and started the lesson in that order adding my personal knowledge of the subject. I started asking them questions just so I could have some time to think about the next part I was to cover, Boy was I scared. The class went ok the students liked it and a lot of them stayed to ask more questions. It felt good to see there faces full of excitement. From that point I told my self to always be prepared for the next day. So for the rest of the school year every day after class I went home and worked on the next day’s lesson content. So, yes that was mean of the old instructor to basically throw me to the wolves, but I learned very quickly that you need to always be prepared for class!!! I never got to ask him if that was his intent but I like to think it was.
It is very inappropriate to complain about your personal life to your class. Even if you dont think the students mind.
First and foremost be prepared for class.
This means being familiar with not only the entire course material but what is to be taught on a given day. Knowing your course and the layout can prepare you to keep on course when you encounter those detours in the lesson for whatever reason.
Second, learn the students names quickly. I learn them by the middle of the second day. I ask day one how would you like to be referred to and then practice to learn the names quickly...we all like to be addressed personally. I often hear students remark, "wow, how did you do that, my last instructor didn't even know my name by the last day." It is work and practice but it pays off by giving the students a feeling of worth and lets them know you see them as a person of value.
Mix it up, don't do the same day after day, boring is not the answer for the students or the instructor.
I also let them know I don't know it all and if asked a question I am in need of clarity on I will ask in return that they look up the answer and report it to me, or I will look it up and report it back, I let them know the learning continues for me as well.
Hi Mervin,
How do you look at sharing your experiences that relate to the topic being covered as a mistake?
Patricia
Hi Bernard,
Without hesitation, rules, policies, procedures, etc. must be known on DAY 1 of the class. As the instructor, it is crucial to give clear expectations.
Patricia
