Highly Effective Instructors
In your opinion, what is the most important quality that sets highly effective instructors apart from others?
@PhilipCampbell@PhilipCampbell
I believe one of the characteristics of an excellent teacher is being able to determine where their students are and beginning there. Meet them where they are and design an approach which helps them grow to their potential.
@PhilipCampbell
I agree with so many of these great points brought up, but one that I did not see is challenging each student to a higher level. Of course, this has to be done in combination with so many of these other skills discussed like motivation, empathy, learning environment, etc., but getting the student regardless of what level they are to that next level has brought more smiles to their faces and self-esteem. This has brought them to truly believing that they were more capalble than they or others gave them credit for in the past.
In my opinion, the most effective instructors I know are those who have a true concern for their students. I've seen instructors and teachers who are in it for the money or advancement. While they may obtain their ultimate objective of a fancy job, car, or boat, their students won't generally remember the instructor's name and, worst of all, the students will have been denied the instruction they deserve in the classroom. We don't need instructors like these at any level. Other than too many governmental regulations, these instructors who are motivated by something other than their students' best interests are the biggest detriment to educational achievement in the United States.
I feel that the instructors I have had that were unique in presentation, energetic, challenging your thoughts, captured my attention and found positive things to say about my work were the best! -Lisa B
The ability to inspire students to want to come to class. I try to bring allot of energy and be creative when designing lessons so that students look forward to coming to class.
I agree, if you love what you do the rest will easily fall into place…I am also constantly reminding my students how far they have come in a short time, and that is why I enjoy teaching, watching students absorb knowledge.
The most highly effective instructions relate to their students and prioritize learning over all other. I had a professor who emphasized this very clearly when talking about classroom management. He said that a student who shows up to learn sometimes needs to be guided on following other classroom rules, but the rules should not diminish that students sincere desire to learn, and if the rules are being implemented in a manner that affect a students desire to learn than the teacher needs to focus on how rules are being enforced and which ones are crucial and which ones do not serve the educational mission.
I like your point about students feeling an instructor's energy and how that can affect the atmosphere of the classroom. I have encountered situations in the past when a group of students were clearly not interested in the activities we were doing and their 'nonchalant' attitude permeated the classroom, negatively affecting the eager students. In fact, my attitude suffered as well. As I look back, I realize my negative response to these students only contributed to the downward spiral and did not turn the situation around in a positive direction. Clearly I was in need of a different strategy. As you say, it is in challenging situations like this where an instructor's soft skills really come into play. I'm getting better in these situations and will continue to work on creating positive and 'life-giving' responses to my students. Using an analogy from biology, our classroom can be like a Petri dish: the students are the 'cells', the 'agar' is the classroom environment and the instructor is the chemist. The chemist exudes either a positive (life-giving) or negative (life-draining) energy. An instructor's soft skills can make all the difference!
The ability to relate to our students. The ability to understand different perspectives and have the soft skills to bridge that gap when there is one.
I believe the ability to motivate students even when they are wrong in their answers.
Don Olsen Answer to the Question:
Highly effective instructors listen-listen-listen, not only with their ears but with their eyes. They observe non verbal behavior in the classroom from audience members and adjust their methods for content delivery as their audience attention waxes and wanes throughout a presentation.
Highly effective instructors watch for learning in their students eyes and adjust their content to help ensure that students are understanding key concepts. They ask reinforcing questions from their students to help verify that they are understanding what's being taught.
Highly effective instructors are not threatening but reinforcing their students ability to learn in a positive environment. Highly effective instructors maintain their "cool" even in conflict situations.
I Agree 100% always Have A Good attitude stay positive will get u Anywhere You want in life..
Brenda,
They are great rewards aren't they?
Philip Campbell
I determine the engagement of students by the way they are able to process, critical think and apply the information being taught. When they are able to critical think and the use application of knowledge, this is an indication of the effect of my teaching efforts and style.
To be a success instructor we must have strong soft skills and hard skills. The reward is students who are eager & knowledgeable of the material delivered.
Most definitely. Positivity in tough times is a must when your teaching so you must empower self frequently. What you put in is what you will get out.
I feel having a positive attitude and being transparent. Students should never be afraid to ask a question knowing the instructor will look at them as if they are crazy or the answer is stupid. In my classes there are no stupid questions. My students are never afraid to ask questions. I think every instructor should be this way. You can be very transparent and have respect at the same time. I work with some instructors who are very condescending to students, so they never ask questions and stay confused.
A positive attitude goes a long way.
Irene,
Keep them on your side and they will begin to partner with you in the educational journey.
Philip Campbell
