I hope always to be a learner, as society and views change we need to learn to improve our delivery to teaching students. When I first enrolled in college computers were just for typing, in less than 20 years we have full classes online. Also when you have open discussions you learn alot from your student's in everyday situations they face which may help you direct them later in discussions.
I try to make teaching a fun experience as well as educational by utilizing different teaching e styles. Just taking this online class has given me so many wonderful ideas. I love group activities and I do find my students make a long connection to them then just lecture.
Thanks for your thoughts, Diedra. Remembering the feelings of anxiety, worry, elation and accomplishment as a student can benefit our teaching ability.
Being a learner is never ending. With this being said, an instructor must always remenber that they were once students. through the course of the class, you do learn a few things from your students. Sometimes sharing life experiences in relation to the subject matter helps to build a certain type of mutual respect.
Grace, it is very important that you keep the "attitude of the learner" even though you are teaching now. This really does keep you in touch with your learners on a personal level that creates a real connection between you and them. Keep up the good work!
I feel like I can relate to the students on two levels: 1. I was a student just 4 years ago, in the same school I am teaching in, so I can explain to the students some "bugs" in the system, learning curves and how to take in the class as a whole. 2: I have been working in the field for those 4 years and can narrow down all the information to what is most important for them to concentrate on in a day-to-day setting. I feel like I'm not so far away from being where they are now, that they can relate to me in a different way.
Creating anticipation in students is a great strategy. Keep up the good work.
I try to us fun,and creative ways to teach various subjects. First reasoning is for different student learning fundamentals and the second would be to make attending school exciting and something new,my goal is to make the student feel if there not attending they defintely would miss a treat.
Hopefully you gain some ideas from this course you can try out in class. With anatomy and terminology being so dry, activities can really add life to class. Good luck in trying one or two new ideas.
Honestly I don't know. If it was in one of the classes where we do a lot of hands on activities, such as Invasive Procedures, than I would say yes. If it was Anatomy or Terminology I would have to say no because I'm not very crafty at making up activities to break up lecture. I'm trying to do better, especially since there is another instructor here that has a lot of good activities that she does but I would like to have other ideas to keep in a folder so I can grab them as I can.
Great idea, Jacqueline. Whihc TV show do you use...Gray's anatomy or something else?
I'm on board with this 100% not all teachers know this going in, but learn it through experience.
You can see the difference in the learner attitude hen that happens.
I agree. And also believe that being able to communicate to all students at an individual level, and sharing a little sense of humor and humility, helps in the rapport with the comfort level of the class and outcome of their contributiion to learning.
Because I think to keep things interesting you need to have an open mind and look at your audience (students), and go with the flow of the energy in the room. You must create your own positive influence by engaging your learners in activities and interactive ideas that will help them help each other and make them feel good about the decisions they have chosen.
My classes are enthusiastic and engaging. During my lectures, I often tell real-situations or sometimes I have students who can share stories as well. This gives students an opportunity to become more engaged and often talk about how they would handle the situation by using the methods or tools that had learned. I give my students handouts that may go more in detail of what they have learned or as a additional resource, which the students enjoy. I do role-playing, which the students interact as to what was done correctly or incorrectly. Toward the end of a medical terminology course I have shown a medical show/movie to see how many medical terms are being used and if they know the meanings of the word. I have medical term games that are played, i.e. hangman,jeopardy, etc.
I like you approach to teaching, it is important for the students to be the center of attention in class, not the teacher. Helping them to get to knowing is the ultimate goal.
I give everything I have to my students all day long. I give them unique stories or words to remember new terminology, I explain things with examples until they "get it", not just memorize it. I don't allow negativity from even themselves. I stress to them the importance of why they are here. To learn the information they need to have the career they want, even if they mess up when they answer a question on a test, so what..what's important is that they know it.
Gail, teaching while using a variety of methods ensures you will appeal to many different learning styles. Seeking new ways to teach also help you to become a better teacher.
I am always looking for new ways to approach a topic. My classes aren't usually the same term after term. The same material but a different method or group of activities.
