Seeing the common mistakes in this course has made me aware of some mistakes that I've been making. Bringing them to my attention has been a huge help. I also make notes for each course on what worked and what didn't.
The best way to avoid these mistakes is to be well prepared and take notes on each days instruction. By taking notes on the effectiveness of each days instruction, steady improvement should be seen with each repetition of that particular class.
Keeping the same routine for every class you instruct is a mistake instructors make. Students make friends when they enter the college world and they talk. An instructor should not want to be labeled as an instructor that remains the same. As an instructor we must change it up in order to keep up! We must remember to keep our personal business just that personal and keep it out the class room. We are here to provide direction to these students.
Hi Tena,
Time is of the essence. Most students simply do not like reading. If they are review questions at the end have them do the questions to spark at least SOME reading. I know they will only look for the answer without reading the entire chapter, but some reading is better than no reading.
Patricia Scales
Hi Heather,
I agree and these policies and procedures should be covered on Day 1 to set the tone of the class.
Patricia Scales
Hi Eric,
You are right! I've been teaching for right at 23 years, and I am still learning. Teaching is work in progress and with that comes learning in progress.
Patricia Scales
We all want to be thorough, however time may not permit that to happen. Try coming up with more creative ways to get the information to the students and getting feedback from your students in ways that will let you know that they are retaining the information that you are giving to them. Essay assignments works for me. Pull out the "meat/potatoes" of the chapter and serve them that. We all know that very few of the students read the entire chapter. Many will go to the areas of their reading that interest them the most. Happy Instructing......
I think that it is important to discuss best practices with peers and to keep a journal which outlines things that you have done in a class and the results that followed. I also think that it is important for the instructor to have a classroom code which can cover everything from professionalism and etiquette to policies and procedures.
I think it's important to remember that nobody stops learning, even ourselves as instructors. Our industries are constantly evolving and we have to stay on top of what's current. We can't fall into the trap of doing things "just because it's how I always did it."
I'm still new at the instructor side of my industry and I feel like I'm learning brand new things every day. I feel like at times I need to take a step back and look at everything, myself included, objectively, to make sure my students and myself are still on track.
Hi Renee,
Great tactics to use to become better. Preparation is a must!
Patricia Scales
I can take notes on what went well and what didn't go well at the end of each class/day so I don't run the risk of potentially repeating mistakes. In addition, I can make sure I am well prepared and organized for each class. I have a common tendency to learn as I go through various experiences. I take mental notes of what I would like to repeat in classroom experiences and what I will avoid in the future as I go through the teaching experience.
Hi Guy,
PowerPoint can be a valuable teaching tool as long as the instructor uses it effectively. No one wants to be read to. Utilize the PowerPoint as a guide to help keep you on point with what you want to talk about, also utilize it to demonsrate visual.
Patricia Scales
Any mistakes I make in lecture spelling or misprints I always blame on my wife.After a short time the students realize that I am being facetious.I like to be thoroughly prepared before a lecture. I admit mistakes that have happened to me in actual practice, so they know that I am not perfect.
Standing in one place lecturing with numerous power point slide. Always walk around the classroom and have a diverse teaching style. Powerpoints are great but there are other tools that can be used, for instance, charts or other graphics.
I recently had a conversation with a collegue regarding power point presentations and their use. A point which was made that I truly believe in is that if you know the subject and teach with passion, it makes the power point almost irrelevant. Our campus had a guest speaker who also mentioned to never read power points, particularly to adults.
Hi Dionne,
You have it! Consistency is a must!
Patricia Scales
Hi Dr. Lindsay,
Absolutely! Preparation is key!
Patricia Scales
Be consistent in your rules for all students and never discuss another student with another.
By ensuring that I am throughly prepared for class and having enough material to keep class engaged just in case you get through materials faster than planned.
Hi Dawn,
Keep doing what you are doing! You are definitely headed in the right direction. No one is perfect, I have been teaching for more than 23 years, and it is still work in progress.
Patricia Scales
