I would have to say classroom control. It can get a little rough when the class has been together for 12 weeks and there is a dynamic there that I don't like. I have to assert myself right away so they will do the the tasks the way they are supposed to be done, not the way the students want do them. If I can't get them to change, I will try to talk to them one on one to try to find out what is going on.If that doesn't work I will hand out a couple of write ups to get their attention.
Hello Timothy,
On Day 1, you should walk into the classroom with a presence about yourself to let the students know that you are in full control. I never have to give a speil about me being in control because I walk in on Day 1 with a certain presence, however, I am always personable as well.
Patricia
letting the class run the class.i would be up there lecturing and half the class would be talking and the others would want to learn.i would sit down until everyone was quiet and start again.just took 1 time.at begining of the phase,i tell them who,what,where,when,why i am .there has not been very much resistance in my class.i tell them,this is my world,you are just visiting it for 3 weeks.
Hi Brad,
I have been teaching for 20 years. It is imperative to let your students know who you are on the very first day. I always take about 20 minutes to tell my students about me as an instructor, my teaching style, methods, personality, compassion for them, firmness, etc. My speil on day 1 gives me the first opportunity to build a rapport with them. I always use a very gentle and calm way in my speil. I can immediately see the students become cormfortable. What approach do you take on the first day so that your students get to know who you are as an instructor?
Patricia
MY BIGGESTS MISTAKE WAS TAKING THE STUDENTS FOR GRANITE. THAT THEY KNEW WHO I WAS AND WHAT I WAS ALL ABOUT. WHAT I DID WAS JUMP RIGHT INTO A LECTURE THAT WAS LOUD AND Obnoxious. THAT WAS NOT CONSTRUCTOIVE AND I LOST ABOUT 1/4 OF MY CLASS BECASU OF THIS. IT TOOK ME THE REST OF THE COURSE TO OVERCOME THAT MISTAKE.
Since THEN I HAVE ALWAYS MADE SURE THS STUDENTS WERE USED TO MY STYLE AND WHOULD BRING THEM ALONG SLOWLY AND I WOULD GET TO KNOW EACH STUDENT BY THE END OF THE DAY.
I’ve SHARED THIS EXPERICE WITH NUMEROUS INSTURTOR SO THAT THEY DONT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE
Hi Patricia,
My biggest mistake as a new instructor was I was too easy at the beginning of the course and then I could not rein them in after I had lost control. I found (quickly) that it is easier to be strict at the beginning of a course and loosen up as time goes on than the other way around. Be clear on the expectations, interpret the rules evenly for all, and follow through with what ever cause and effect was given when giving the expectations.
Steve
Hi Steve,
When I first started teaching 20 years ago, I would sugar coat a lot of things. I no longer sugar coat anything with my students; I shoot straight from the hip. Give me a description of your biggest mistake and how you corrected it as an instructor.
Patricia
