I agree. I think empathy is one of the common links between the best instructors I know, and is an area for growth in instructors who are challenged to perform to standards. And the best instructors I know are the ones who reach the challenging students; anyone can teach a rockstar!
I feel it is the way the instructor draws the students out. When we can relate the book concept with real life events and the student is allowed to draw, express,state, and share their own insights into these area learning for all occurs.
Instructors who will use humor, lifes lessons learned, student input, and on the job techniques will keep their students excited about sharing, learning, and expressing new ideas.
Let the students become the teachers when the discussion will let you and even we as instructors continue to learn.
Effective instructors want their students to succeed in class and in life.
Hugh Clark
National College
I believe that a good attitude and a sense of humor covers a multitude of sins! The ability to "go with the flow" is also of importance.
Good communication skills...but, of course, you must know the subject area. An old friend told me once, "You can't any more teach what you don't know than come from some place you haven't been"
Rachel,
The first thing all teachers are taught is to be flexible. How can we get that across to people? Is there anything we can do from the onset of employment?
Philip Campbell
We seem to have a problem with instructors not adapting or they adapt but complain for months after change. If people learned to go with the flow more they would be much happier here! Chnage is never endin! YOU MUST be flexible!
Energy and enthusiasm are irreplaceable. The kool-aid is much easier to get them to drink (that is, the need to acquire certain skills and practice certain behaviors) in an atmosphere of action, energy and enthusiasm.
Every instructor needs to maintain integrity in the classroom. We are training students for the work environment and we should be modeling the behaviors we want them to exhibit.
The instructor is in charge of the classroom and needs to set the tone and develop ground rules for appropriate classroom conduct. This can include a variety of areas, such as appropriate communication, handing in assignments, plagiarism, and timeliness. It is also very important for the instructor to adhere to the established classroom policies.
Lou,
Great points about enthusiasm. It is contagious and the more enthusiasm that we have on a daily basis the more students will have and the better the environment for the classroom.
Philip Campbell
In my opinion, enthusiasm, and an ability to give relevance to any subject are the most important qualities that I can think of.
I find that students often need to believe that what they are learning is essential to them, and that it is practical for them to pick up skills now for use in their career. I think that this makes a subject more tangible for students. The enthusiasm of their instructor maybe helps students to consider a subject to be as important as that.
Once students want something, added enthusiasm helps to carry them through from day to day. It's contagious.
In a nutshell I believe that having a POSITIVE ATTITUDE; SENSE OF HUMOR; COMPASSION;GOOD LISTENING SKILLS and HUMILITY set highly effective instructors apart from others
Jack ,
True. A soft skill that is hard to develop is intuition. Hard to develop and will get better with time.
Philip Campbell
In my opinion, highly effective instructors have the ability to engage students by asking pointed, relevant questions, while conveying the importance of the material being presented. This requires developing a "feel" for the class and an inate understanding of whether the class is "getting it", or if they are in need of further clarification.
I would definitely concur. We have to ensure that we have developed perspectives that compliment what it is that we are attempting to accomplish. I think that it is also about perspectives and perceptions. We know that everyone's perceptions is their reality. I have experienced people saying that someone else's perspective is wrong. I thing that the view of this should be that no one's perspective is wrong...just different than those of others...as long as no ethical violations exist.
James
Andrew,
Sounds like when you are speaking to them everything is new and their comfort zones are being stretched. That is not a bad thing.
I agree with you Denise. The old saying "Do as I say, not as I do", just doesen't cut it. You have to have and be the things you are teaching. Students no matter if they are young or old can soon tell if you believe what you are teaching or just teaching what the book says.
To me, it is to treat them like they are adults. I try a speak to them on a level that they can understand. I do not talk down to them as that does not help them learn. I try to relay to them that I understand that what I am saying in new and strange but that I was there once and I can help them get to where I am.
A good instructor can be so for different reasons depending on many variables. The type of student in terms of learning preferences and stage in life and motivations, as well as the type of material being taught can all dictate which attribute will lead to the most success.
Speaking from my own experiences I would put more than the 15% level of importance on the technical aspects of the abilities for the material that I teach, but the soft skills would still represent a majortity of what's required for success.
How I carry myself and how I conduct my class commands more respect for my instruction than my actual expertise does.
That soft skill which I feel most dependent on for my success is my sense of fairness. This ensures that I set reasonable expectations, treat everyone with respect and make the most of the time we have. With fairness as a motivator I ensure that students and I achieve what we mean to.
James,
Yes I agree. One of the things to remember is everyone's expectations for them selves are different. What I expect of myself is different than what you expect of your self.
Mr. Campbell,
You bring up a very good point. I would like to posit an additional perspective. I think that we have to make adjustments in regards to their expectations as well as adjust for disappointments. I have had some students that were absolutely ecstatic because they received a C. Conversely, I have had students that normally score higher receive a C. There is a bit of disappointment that appears when this phenomenon occurs. I think we have to make room to accommodate for these students and their feelings as well so that they can get back on track and ameliorate their performance.
James
