I have noticed that this class has really help me. As I was going though this I had to start a new class and it has been so much easier for me. It has made it easy for me not to make mistakes...Thank you.
I am truly enjoying the responses on this topic because it means that others are always trying to strive for something better. Its very comforting and assuring!! This is great!
Smile, stay calm, be confident. If you get stuck as a newbie, involve students by inviting their suggestions and solutions; this will at least help them feel valued and build rapport.
One lesson I learned was from one of my guest speakers. He spoke about tracking how long tasks take you. This helped me to ensure I was always prepared for class. I work in the field Full-time, and teach college at night Part-time. Out of fairness to both positions and the students, I know and block out the necessary time it takes to prepare a summary game, create a chapter overview, create an exam, prepare my power point, etc. This has been very helpful, and I also share with students. They should know how long it takes to read a chapter, how long to complete the chapter puzzles or overviews, or complete the chapter homework6 assignments.
Hi Sally,
Awesome response! You are right on point! Admit to not knowing, find out, and then share. This approach will get you more respect than anything. No one knows it all.
Patricia Scales
I think that it also sets a good example to students when you show that it's not only okay, but in fact it's important to admit to not knowing the answer. However this should be followed with a committment to finding out what the correct answer is, and then acting on that.
We try to instill this in our students as they go out into their clinical education rotations - their clinical instructors do not expect the students to know all the answers, though we hope they are able to demonstrate a good deal of knowledge. The student must be able to admit to not knowing, but promise to find out, and then be able to demonstrate that he/she did find out. I believe that if we do this ourselves as instructors, we are teaching the students how to deal with situations when they don't know an answer.
It is absolutely true that students can tell when we don't know. Trying to pull an answer out of thin air demonstrates a lack of respect for the person we're informing, and decreases that person's respect for us. How can they trust anything we tell them, if they catch us out once making it up??
I like to ask my students for feedback. If there is anything I can improve upon from the student's point of view it is worthwhile. I like to employ methods and then ask the students their thoughts on the method used and if it can be improved. I feel the students perspective is key to reaching them and therefore displays that you are genuine in your efforts to make sure that everyone is learning.
This is an excellent point. I have taught Vo-Tech for 10 years on a part-time basis, but after being away from the classroom for 12 years I am returning as a full-time instructor in the same field. My fieled of Computer Technology has changed considerably, and although I have kept up with it all of these years, I am finding my students are a lot more knowledgeable and savvy than they were 12 years ago (and especially 22 years ago when I first started teaching). Advanced preparation is absolutely key in structuring classroom time. Some of these students have a shorter attention span and a huge expectation of being entertained beyond those students of an earlier time.
Stay prepared and attentive, if you are on the job and prepared you can eliminate a lot of mistakes
It is important to be prepared, organized and dressed professionally. Make to sure assess your initial class to see each students' strengths and needs that way you can develop teaching methods more effectively.
It's reality that mistakes will happen, but I believe that some mistakes can be avoided by simply being organized, over-prepared, and flexible. There will always be room for improvement no matter how experienced I am. I am open to change and constructive criticism is always welcome. I am happy to admit when I make a mistake teaching, I try to find some humor in the situation, learn from the mistake and move forward instead of dwelling on it.
I don't dwell on my inexperience as an instructor but I do like to make especially beginning students know that I have extensive background and also want to learn from them and about them too! I try to be humble but also show my confidence and enthusiasm for the industry of instruction.
I agree with your statement and as I continue to learn at various seminars and courses I am continually looking for behaviors and teaching methods that "wow" me and I work on integrating them into my basket of techniques that increase my ability to teach better.
Plan ahead. Prepare for each class time wise well in advance and over prepare.
Hi Christopher,
Use your knowledge in the "user education" to teach. You have a great advantage! You come with practical experience. You can lecture from experience.
Patricia Scales
David,
This is great! I am new IT instructor and this list covers a lot of what's making me a little nervous. I have experience in the "user education" side of things but I've been told that teaching users at their desks or in organized training events is a lot different that a classroom environment.
Thanks
Chris
As a 9 month newbie, my mistake as a new instructor was going through the material too rapidly. I would have 30 minutes left in our 110 minute class. I asked for help from the seasoned instructors. I got very good advice. My point being if you are new to teaching, please ask for help.
As a new instructor I think the best thing to do is leave your nerves at the door. Go into the classroom being confident in your abilities and knowledge and relay that in your teaching. I think it's a mental game with yourself that you need to overcome.
I agree that seasoned instructors have a tendency to follow the same routine. I have also fallen guilty of this mistake. However, I have found that meeting each student individually prior to class helps set the mood. In fact, each student, class, and course is different. Therefore, this alone requires each “class†to be unique and/or different than the class before.
As an IT instructor I usually have the luxury of a computer, a projector and a class server. These are great tools. They allow you to post notes and demos, demonstrate concepts visually and show solutions to questions in real time.
1.) Make a checklist of topics you need to cover before class.
2.) Leave time for questions, discussion and demonstrations.
3.) Demonstrate as many of the days concepts as possible in real world scenarios.
4.) Bring up real world problems you have had to solve in your experience and have your students come up with solutions. This can be very engaging.
5.) Don't get stuck in a rut. A large part of my job is keeping current with new technologies and I stress the importance to my students. This keeps me from getting moldy too.
6.) Try to find out your students knowledge and experience level with the subject matter. Remember your students haven't been there and done that for the last 20+ years. The glazed eyes and dumbfounded looks tell you if you are to far over their head and need to slow down a bit and expound on the topic more.
7.) Constantly reflect on how things went. What could I have done better?
