Hi Beverly,
I love your list! How impressive! I can tell you love what you do! It sounds like you have it down to a science. Thanks for being a super educator!
Patricia
Hi Kenny,
You've made some valid points. It is okay to have a laid back type personality as long as you are always in control, you manage your classroom effectively, and your students know that you are their instructor and not their friend.
Patricia
Hi Robert,
I am in total agreement. Admit to your mistake and move on. Don't be a finger pointer.
Patricia
Hi Erica,
Big mistake to befriend students. All types of accusations begin to come about.
Patricia
I think that drawing a line in the sand very early that you are their instructor and not their friend will go a long way to creating respect in the classroom. While they are adults and need to be treated as such, when they are not meeting expectations, it needs to be addressed. If it is left go, the issues will only compound. many novice instructors make the mistake of trying to be the student's friend, and end up getting walked all over. I struggle with this even though I have been instructing adults for about 10 years now. Most of my struggles is because of my laid back personality.
Avoid becoming “friends†with your students and try to be as professional as possible at all times.
Hi Candice,
You have it! The minute students find that you have no confidence in your abilities, you have lost all of their respect, and they will certainly complain about you. They will go to appropriate personnel about your abilities or lack there of.
Patricia
Hi Meredith,
Great advice! Use each mistake as a lesson learned.
Patricia
Hi Leigh,
What do you do to avoid common instructor mistakes? I always make sure I am prepared and well organized to reduce mistakes.
Patricia
Hi Neil,
Just as instructors detect attitudes from students, students detect attitudes from instructors. As instructors we should display a very positive and upbeat attitude.
Patricia
Hi Geraldyne,
Seasoned instructors are excellent resources. I assign every new instructor with a seasoned instructor so that the new instructor can have a go to person.
Patricia
Great list. I make mistakes almost every day. The best thing I've found if you can't avoid them, is to own up to them as quickly as possible. Don't make excuses, correct your error and admit the mistake. You set an example of taking responsibility for your actions that way.
I beleive it all starts with attitude: If an instructor does not portray a positive attitude along with being prepared for class, they are setting themselves up for failure.
Learn from your mistakes, instead of being hard on yourself, use situtations that did not go as planned in a positive way. The next time this type of situtation comes up again (and it will) think of what did, and did not work for you and choose a different path.
There are many ways to avoid commonly made instructor mistakes. So of the ways would be to be prepareed for your class and your students before they even arrive. This shows them that you are on top of it. Never let them know you are scared or intimidated by them and instructing, especially when it is your first instructing job. You want to be to class early so that you can have the lesson plan ready for the students and that you can feel better about starting on time and having te information ready and available for the students that need it presented to them for that day. Never tell your students about your personal problems and always keep it professional with them.
I couldn't agree more, we seem more "human" to
the students when we do this, works toward the
rapport and trust we must cultivate.
1. Be prepared. Have the goals/chapters on the boards.Use different color markers to show different objective and tasks.
2. Be specific when giving quiz or test prep hints. Ambiguity makes students resentful.
3. Be aware of "teachable moments".
4. Be professional. Laugh at situations, not people. Keep personal talk out of the classroom.
5. Be kind. Plan for small doses of learning with feedback. Remember to give those necessary breaks!
6. Be genuine. Show your love of the learning; it's contagious.
7. Be organized. Have homework assignments specified and clarified BEFORE the end of class. End on time.
Plan, plan, plan!
In addition to that I fully admit when I'm wrong or have a "moment". I want my students to see me as professional and the expert in the room, but they also have to know that I am a human as well. I have no problem laughing at myself, so I use the humor approach as well.
Realize the importance of attaining & maintaining
student respect by having a professional and
positive approach to their educational experience.
Definitely try to have a more "seasoned" teacher
act as your mentor to help guide you.
