Everyone wants a teacher who has your qualities. If you continue to try to improve your teaching skills, they will watch you grow, too, just as they are. Good luck in all you do!
I would like to be a learner in classes such as mine because I know the material, show excitement for the subject, and am fair to all students.
Using personal examples yourself and of the students is a way to get buy in and show relevance. It is obvious you are an instructor who really cares, and that shows through to students. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Having taught in a variety of settings, modes, and with a wide variety of people I know the toughest crowd is the learner who "has to be there" (i.e. mandatory training for county job). The most engaged learner will be the student who has made an ACTIVE decision of "this is what I want do, and I will do it step by step" and is paying for it.
Students can become overwhelmed by the 90 credits of classes so I remind them to break it down. Same thing for the Medical Terminology class, building one brick at a time. Encouraging them along, having them encourage each other! Of course making it fun...if you can get each learner to laugh or smile during the class they will usually remember the concept covered. I have also used the technique of "tieing" concepts to their peers in class saying "remember when Erika said" or remember the example Phil gave". When that question or word appears on the quiz or in real life they can connect to Erika and help the word or answer appear.
Having the attitude that you can learn from your students models to them that when they graduate, they should seek to be a lifelong learner. Thanks for sharing!
It makes you excited about what you are teaching. If you are always looking for something new to learn, or a different angle from which to see something - it demonstrates to your students that they never know everything.
Todd, teaching is as much about creating relationships as it is about teaching skills and knowledge. Wise teachers use fun and real life examples as you do to make a difference. I'd like to be a student in your class.
I would want to be in my class because I connect with my students. By getting to know them a bit, I can understand where they are coming from and how they learn. Incorporating comedy, making impersonations and using little quips, helps the learning to be fun. I try to find examples and analogies that relate to something that they already know. This helps to accelerate their learning. I agree that students have to focus in order to remember what they have learned.
That is very true. I also sometimes use role play as one of the activities in class. This helps me to work with my students and at the same time still see if I can make the topic further interesting .
Priyal, it is an excellent practice to always seek new ways to help students interact with content. That way they are gaining knowledge and experience working with a variety of people who are different from them(very much like the job world).
i agree to that and thats the reason that I keep looking for ways that help me interact better with my students as well as help me to help them.
Experience is a great teacher and sharing real world stories is one way to prepare students that is effective. Thanks for sharing!
I to, bring out my work experiences to my students and tell them I can not wait for them to feel what I feel. Sometimes, I feel the realization is not there for them until they can experience it themselves.
Priyal, it is a good idea to walk in the shoes of your students at least once a year. If you are always looking for better ways to teach, it will pay off for both you and your students.
Being an enthusiastic learner myself, I think that would be a good way to understand my student's perspective and at the same time will also help me get more exciting ideas that i can incorporate into my lessons
If your classes are interactive, you are ahead of 70% of your peers. It makes a real difference to students. Good luck and keep up the good work.
Yes I would. My classes are interactive and I am entertaining.
Vanessa, I am glad the course has made you think about engaging all the students. Showing your fun side makes it easier for the learners to relate to you. I suggest you pick one idea from the course and implement it in your class with your content that needs the most help because it is dry or boring. Then, you will see results immediately. Thanks and good luck!
This really challenges me to rethink all lesson plans that I have. Its important to be able to engage all students from all age groups and to keep them interested at the topic being discussed. Adults want to know how this information will benefit them and how they will use it down the road in their careers.
What I also like to do is show a fun side of me while in class. I think this shows that I am very approachable about anyting and it makes the students feel welcomed and less worried.
Being a learner in your class can give you new perspective. If you are always learner focused, you will have success with teaching.
