learning new techniques to motivate and encourage students
I found this online course very enjoyable. I always knew there were different styles of teaching but to have them clearly defined was great. It helped me identify what teaching style I (think) I have but also helped me identify if not, where I need to strive to be.
I learned a lot by taking this class, especially what the different characteristics are of the specific different learning syles. I am a combination of a couple of learning styles discussed; however, I want to develop more of the Guide style so that I have a good combination to make me an extremely effective instructor.
It is interesting because I never thought you should be buddies with your students; however, I can see now where that would be effective. I do give my students all types of resources so that they can maximize their skills and ultimately achieve their goals. I do involve my students as much as the program will allow, and I am always encouraging to them so that they will stay motivated.
The thing I need to change the most is not to be so much of a Controller and rather be more of a combination of a Controller and Buddy.
Amanda, what next steps do you plan to take to better define your teaching style? Just like we discuss with students to have a strategy and a plan for how to be successful in our classrooms, we as instructors also need to have well defined plans when we want to make changes to our own behaviors.
James Jackson
I think you are right Amanda. Sometimes we need to look at the things we do routinely in a format like this in order to shake out our own pros and cons. This way you can identify your personal traits and come to terms with your normal responses to situations that occur for many of us in teaching.
