Sherry,
Great question to ask students. This helps to internalize it as well.
Philip Campbell
Wow, where to start, having a passion for what you are teaching, helps you to be enthusiastic and positive. When you like what your doing, it shows. I will have students ask, Why do we have to learn this? fortunately, I have worked in my profession long enough that I will have a real world experience to refer to and explain the importance of a lesson.
Highly Effecitve Instructors show the energy and excitement they have for their students and their subject every time they enter the classroom. Showing your excitement, you can then gauge the excitement of the class and begin to see those students that are dealing with emotions outside the rest of the class. You can then begin to assess how to help them and work with their own soft skills
Liza,
Showing concern for students is something that many of us could do more. One thing people get worried about is getting too much personal information from students. This is a valid concern but as professionals we can draw the line in the sand and make sure students do not cross it.
Philip Campbell
Highly effective instructors show a genuine concern for their students, both academically and personally.
I believe the most important quality of a highly effective instructor is to manage EQ- especially in front of the students. Maintaining a positive attitude and displaying empathy lets the students know that the educator cares about the learners. When students believe that, they become more motivated to learn. I find that no matter what is going on in my personal life, when I step into the classroom, I can "divorce myself" from the any issues and the classroom becomes a sanctuary. For those few hours, I have a differ goal and I can put aside any problems that I may be experiencing. Not only does it help my students, it also helps my stress levels.
Mark,
All of these are important. Relating is one that i also believe in and seems to have the most impact on students.
Philip Campbell
their ability to connect and relate to students, i believe, is the most important quality to have. but motivational skills and integrity are also important.
David,
The learning styles of students is one that is hard to discover especially in higher education. Some of the activities we do n in class will give us ideas, but unless students tell us, we usually have to figure it out on our own. This is something that teachers do quite well.
Philip Campbell
I think it their ability to assess the learning styles of the students and tailor their approach to maximize comprehension of desired objectives.
David,
Prep work is important. The students can also tell if you have not done enough prep work.
Philip Campbell
marie,
Engagement is a skill indeed. One of the things that we often get tied up in is trying to present so much information in a short amount of time, that it is easy to lose the sens of discussing some concepts that we may breeze over.
Philip Campbell
Strong preparation and communication skills are a vital combination to achieve high-quality instruction.
Highly effective instructors must have integrity. If I may, I'd like to define integrity as doing the right thing even when no one is looking. It's not my definition but I agree with it 100%. Integrity can manifest itself in many areas. Personal appearance, sincere caring for students' welfare and maintaining up -to-date knowlede in your chosen professional field to mention just a few. Students can tell within four minutes of meeting you if you're worth their time. Tempering this attribute should be a sense of humor. Students have confidence in an instructor who handles herself in a professional way while still enjoying Life.
I believe what sets highly effective instructors apart from others is the ability to engage the student through EQ and soft skills. However, if the instructor is not able to effectively communicate and teach his/her subject, ie, Algebra, Chemistry, Physics, then the student will not learn no matter how much they enjoy being around their instructor. So, highly effective instructors not only engage the student but also are able to explain difficult topics in a way that the student can understand them.
I show my students just how interested I am in the lesson(s) of the day. If I'm excited and enjoying what I'm doing, I find my students are likely to do so as well.
zara,
Agreed. Fair is what helps get investment from the students into a class or instructor.
Philip Campbell
The most important quality that sets highly effective instructors apart from others I think is feedback to the students. A caring professor with grades fairly and pays attend to the needs of their students in the online classroom.
Teresa,
Thanks for that, I agree as well. So many of us wear emotions on our faces that we do not even realize it. It is easier for students to read us than what we think.
Philip Campbell
In my opinion, the most effective instructors always display enthusiasm and interest in the material they present. They love what they do and it shows.
