Try to provide the best possible instruction that you can. Create an instructor image from the first day of class. Manage your class from the first day is essential. Establish routine and clear expectations in order students can feel comfortable in class. And share your knowledge in a manner they can understand and at a pace they can learn.
I really like your answer, I will utilize what you have said and hopefully will help me reduce any mistakes inb the future
I have found that over the years I have been complacent with teaching the same way (lecture, labe etc) and that something that I should not have done. I did not focus on industry trends and current practices that were an important part of educational development for the students and myself. In the last 3 years I have learned to look at what is going on in the indrusty and bring that back to the classroom to have a richer and deeper learning experience for the students.
Be prepared but not overly. Be confident and not cocky. Listen to every one of your students. Learn the good and the bad from seasoned instructors.
As a new vocational nursing instructor, I am very concerned about making "new instructor mistakes." I try to avoid mistakes by asking the multitude of other instructors with years of collective instructional experience. I have learned a lot of great ways to approach issues in my classroom.
I made a new instructor mistake with a student by simply not taking the time to say what I truly meant. Instead, I tried to rush.
I was offering an optional final exam review for the students and I knew that I had a lot to review in a short amount of time. This one student came in late and disrupted the class giving me her explanation of why she was late. I said, "It doesn't matter, have a seat so I can continue." What I meant to say was "this is an optional review so I don't need a reason for your tardiness or I will count you absent, so please have a seat so we can continue because we are on a tight schedule to complete the review.
What the student heard was that I did not care. It took the next two hours with administration and the student to sort out what I meant to say rather than what I did say because I did not pause, think about what I should say before saying it. Needless to say, it was a lesson I will never forget!
Hi Tavia,
We are going to make mistakes. Learning from our mistakes makes us better. You are right, peer support is great; pick seasoned instructors brains they have a lot of great tips that they can share with you.
Patricia Scales
Hi Zorita,
You are right, even as educators we are far from perfect, we just have to continue to work toward perfection.
Patricia Scales
Only having been an instructor for 6 months now I classify myself as still being a newbie, obviusly. I had never taught before but was able to bring prior experience in management into my new role. I went through all the feelings of excitement, anxiety and even dread. My first mistake was placing alot of pressure on myself to succeed. By doing this I made my second mistake of setting very high expectations in my classes. This led to my third mistake of thinking that everyone could be like me. All this did was create more of a challenging atmosphere in my classes, more anxiety and did anything but gain the respect of my students. The age range of my students is vast, 18-65 and their backgrounds vary greatly as well from fresh out of high school, established careers looking for a change, stay at home moms, those that have been laid off, etc. I learned that I needed to take a step back and reflect not only upon myself but my students as well. I had to focus on what they needed as far as learning styles, their own goals and what they expected out of my classes. I needed to relax and thereby create a more relaxed and engaging atmosphere for my students. I had a strong desire to succeed as an instructor. My realization was that in order for me to succeed I needed my students to succeed. Actually I wanted my students to succeed. They needed a positive, engaging, stimulating and organized environment where they could be themselves, know it is ok to make mistakes, feel comfortable in coming to me with questions/concerns and overall feel good about the change they are making in their lives.
I am not perfect and I certainly do not claim to know everything. I have managed to develop myself further and have learned so much more about myself in these past 6 months. I let my classes know that I do not know everything and that I am constantly in learning mode myself. They know that if I do not know the answer to something that I will find the answer and we'll discuss it as a group. In many instances students offer to reasearch the info and present it in a class discussion which is an indicator to me that they are engaged and comfortable among their peers. Success in the classroom is dependent on everyone working together.
I try very hard to avoid falling into the mistake of seeking student approval. As an instructor, my goal is to facilitate learning. Whether or not I'm their favorite instructor doesn't matter. By stepping back and reevaluating my role as an instructor, I help myself avoid this common mistake made by instructors.
I have made all the mistakes. Learning from them and asking peers for support and help gives me the confidence I need
I just remember no instructor is perfect, we are all human and we do make mistakes. Learn from your mistakes and strive to do better. You should be able to ask yourself at the end of the day or week, what did I learn today or this week and try to incorprate that into the next time you teach that module.
Making mistakes is a part of life in any thing we do. I made a mistake on a weld I did for a student today by sticking the tungsten in the weld!! a big no no!
Well I stopped and said this stuff happens and now I'm going to show you how to fix the mistake and make the repair on the weld.
The student said I thought that you didnt mess up on welds, we laughed and I said i'm not perfect but this is how you fix your weld.
Hi Danny,
I concur! I preach, I do not care how good you are, you can become better. I have been teaching for nearly 24 years, and I am still constantly evaluating myself so that I can become even better.
Patricia Scales
I do my best to keep reading/keep learning/ keep asking questions and pushing myself to try new things both in my field and in other areas of my life.
I generally schedule an excess of time in my calendar for class preparation too. There is a small sense of comfort in knowing both that I have put in many hours of preparation before a class AND in knowing that I have blocked out dedicated time to get myself ready before the next session begins.
This time in preparation also lets me spot when we are getting to any part of the subject that I am rusty with- since I have time set aside I know I won't be rushed if I need to gather additional info for myself or call upon other resources to make sure the presentation of material for the students is complete :) and awesome whenever possible.
Kathy
I agree..... I always say no matter how well you have built a procees to be their is always room for improvement / advancement
I do not if that is always possible. As an instructor we are all human. We all learn from each other. No two students are the same. So an approach that worked in one class may not work with class currently be taught.
I to learn from my students their questions and comments. Always learning.
Hi Robert,
I agree! Silence is not always a bad thing when teaching. It is best to gather your thoughts then speak.
Patricia Scales
Do not be afraid to pause while lecturing to gather your thoughts. Saying the words "and um" after every sentence tells students you possibly don't know what you are talking about or are not sure what you are talking about.
Hi Tamara,
I love this 5 Ps statement, and it is so true! Preparation is key!
Patricia Scales
Proper Preparation can help avoid instructor mistakes. You can never be prepared enough is what I have learned.
'Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performances' is a statement that I have grown to remember.
