In my opinion an instructor needs to be very involved with the students. This does not mean to be their buddy but it's important to know what is going on in their lives and how that reflects on their participation in the classroom. I deal with a lot of single parents, trouble with childcare, transportation issues and such are always an issue. I can't always do anything to help them but as I say to them if you don't tell me what the problem is we can't work to resolve it.
I believe the most successful instructors combine good organizational skills (planning, preparation and performance) with a friendly demeanor and good sense of humor. Adults have a lot of demands on their time. While their intrinsic motivation to gain their education is often high, it is still our responsibility to make sure that each and every class meeting is worth their time and money. I believe that if each student has not gotten excited about something in the class each day, I have not done my job.
Allison, what have you learned from any conversations win your students on their reasons for sleeping in class or their outbursts? The more you understand what triggers such behaviors the better prepared you will be to manage your delivery techniques.
James Jackson
Gail, all great traights. What traits do you focus upon and what steps do you take with each group of students to better develop your own traits?
James Jackson
The instructor needs to know their subject thoroughly and convey an enthusiam for the subject. He should use a variety of teaching techniques to convey his message to the students since many have various learning types. The instructor should publically praise and privately discuss ways to improve.
Patrick, instructors lead by example even by accident so what students observe from their instructors provides a critical influence on their behavior. Thanks for sharing.
James Jackson
Patrick, the ability for the instructor to be prepared and to know their students and their learning preferences is key to overall success. Thanks for bringing this critical topic forward.
James Jackson
I think that enthusiasm and motivation are very important as the students will perceive how happy the instructor is to teach them. Professionalism and great attitude and integrity are also critical.
Good classroom management requires a good sense of the students styles. to be able to modify the behavior based on the discipline and the level of interest of the students. Always being prepared, show enthusiasm to be here and to teach to the students. Try to create a good learning environment without boredom.Displaying motivation.
Peter, great point. The more you can show your students you are just like them they too will realize they can become more like you.
James Jackson
DeVon, leading by example and inspiring to inspire others are also good traits to consider. Thanks for sharing your well constructed list.
James Jackson
JOSE, treating others the way you want to be treated is always a good policy. The other concept to keep in mind is just because others do not treat you the way you want to be treated does not give anyone the right to treat others poorly. I feel we as instructors forget this at times. We always need to be in our "A" game and do not have the luxury of just being ourselves.
James Jackson
Rebecca, very true. The more we know as instructors about the learning process our students use, the more we can use that knowledge to apply different teaching techniques to enhance their understanding. Thanks for bringing this critical topic forward.
James Jackson
I think being knowledgeable and excited about the subject you are teaching paired with being very organized about how you will present each class is the foundation to being successful as an instructor. The first few days of class are important to me. I spend time meeting students, outlining the class objectives and expectations and getting a sense of how the class "feels" to me. I may change the way I present a certain topic or activity if I think the class will benefit. I also update projects and assignments based on how effective they were in previous classes.
I've been teaching now for over 10 years in a culinary school environment. Over time my management style has evolved from a controlling style because of the culinary brigade system to more of a guide. It certainly took some elements of maturation and confidence over time to get to this point but it has made my profession of teaching more enjoyable.
I think that teaching in the adult setting, you must have a good balance of respect for your students and a firm, but not rigid, set of expectations. My students come from all different socio-economic backgrounds and you have to have some personal knowledge of their lives to be able to have compassion and some flexibility. I try to set the tone of my classes by being an example of firmness, respectfullness, compassion and passion.
An important trait of a successful intructor is for the students to have confidence in the not only the instructors technical knowledge but their classroom management skills. If an instructor fails to manangement the students and classroom environment, it matters very little how knowledgeable they are, learning will suffer.
Understanding the student is am important trait of a successful instructor
I think that being well-organized and orderly is very important and always let the students know what is expected of them and make sure that they understand what is expected. Otherwise, there is a miscommunication and then not everyone is on the same page.
In my opinion, some of the important traits and characteristics of a good instructor needed to achieve good classroom management would be; Be a leader, command respect by being respectful, be fair, just, be tactful, knowledgeable, be engaging in lectures and demos and keep students involved in the daily leasrning experience.
