common mistakes of instructors
we all make mistakes its what we learn form them this course helps me-
Hi Wook,
We are human, we are going to make mistakes. Take the mistakes in stride and continue to move forward without missing a beat.
Patricia
This is a great topic. Mistakes can happen all the time, especially when we leats expect them. I think it's important to note that we do not try to hide it. That actually makes us look weak or insecure. Yes, humor does work, but use your personality to take the mistake away from the class and bring it back when appropriate.
To error is human! I begin class by setting the tone as to why I am the instructor teaching this course. Of course this helps set the rapport. Another strategy I use is to tell them up front that I know they are "sizing me up" assessing my appearance, they way I dress, will I be a hard or easy grader and so forth. I let my students know that it is only human nature for us to do that and then I go onto dicuss my syllabus for the course.
I've found that admitting my mistakes helps students realize that they can as well. If a mistake is made in the field, it may be vital to a patient that the student tells a manager.
Hello Elise,
Stop beating yourself up. Learn from your mistakes and forget about them. Remember, no one is perfect.
Patricia
My biggest challenge is keeping my mistakes in context with the larger picture. Often after a class I remember most of what I did wrong, not what went well, which can hold me back as an instructor. My husband reminds me that I would not hold my students to such perfect standards, therefore it is unreasonable to hold myself to them.
Hi Ron,
So it appears you do not sweat the small stuff, but you do capitalize on the big stuff. I can accept that.
Patricia
Hi Tammie,
You're right! Mistakes happen to the best of us. I've been teaching for 21 years, and ocassionally I will make a mistake. Mistakes are inevitable.
Patricia
Mistakes happen even to the most knowledgable of instructors. I believe they can happen most often when you are teaching a course for the first time.
I find two classes of errors: serious and not serious.
The 'not serious' errors I usually deal with through humor. There is a running gag in my classroom about my inability to spell the most common of words on the whiteboad.
The 'serious' errors, such as a mistake on grading, or failure to make an online component available, I attempt to deal with through humility and professionalism.
Hi Robert,
Absolutely, we all make mistakes! Let's learn from each mistake so that we can develop into better educators.
Patricia
Hi Bryan,
What an awesome response! You've said it nicely! You have a super processs you follow to learn from your mistakes. How in the world are we going to grow professionally, if we are afraid to make mistakes?
Patricia
I agree completely. Once we make a mistake, we must first admit that we have made one (to ourselves, at the very least, but ideally to all releveant parties). Next, I find it helpful to analyze why the mistake took place, being as honest as possible. After that, I think how the mistake could have been avoided, and building off that, how I will avoid the mistake next time. Throughout this whole process, I must constantly remind myself that mistakes are a normal part of any growth process. It also helps to have the support of those around you, most crucially the administration!
