Becomming Involved
Before you can expect a student to become involved, the instructor has to become involved.
If you teach straight out of the book, then it becomes boring.
You have to teach the course, but it helps if you enjoy what you're doing.
I like to tell my class how much I love my job, and I'm concerned with them, and not just the money they're paying to come here.
It must be quite a challenge to assess the nature of each class and adjust your classroom presentation accordingly. What are some of the behaviors you monitor to determine how to proceed? What do you do when you get mixed signals - slow down for some, push harder for others?
That has been my experience as well, what was useful in igniting the participation and involvement of one class most probably won't be as successful with the next. The culture of my classes remains most vital when I relentlessly pursue dialogue and interaction with my students until I can get them to jump into the learning arena and initiate there own interaction and involvment. I don't have a prayer at any of this if the curriculm is not presented in a meaningful, relevant and accessible manner and pace to that particular class. It varies with each class roster, that's part of why my job is so great and so rewarding. Great stuff, rock-on.
Michael, could you share more information about class personality? Is it shaped by one or two individuals? How are you able to change your presentations to reflect the class personality?
I also found that each class has it's own personality. I find myself changing my teaching style with every new phase. What I don't change and what seems to work the best is to always reinforce why they need to know this new information and how it will benefit them in the future. Once I can prove to them the benefits of the class they seem more eager to be a part of it.
All this is true Dennis. They dont care how much you know until they know how much you care. If we just provide information, we could get tape recordings to do the same. There is no pleasure in just delivering information, there is great reward in seeing people actually learn and achieve goals and knowing your efforts played a part in that process. This will not happen very often if we're not connected enough to see them through the process.
The school I work at, I have been for almost four years. Over that time I have notice that a lot of our faculty has been able to get the students to "buy-in" to a lot of the courses that they have to take, but have little to do with the actual course of study they are there for. I have seen instructors use personal stories, movies of themselves doing something, spending time one on one talking to students, or whatever they can come up with. We have one of the best faculty I have seen, that care about students and want to see them succeed. Not so they make more money or a pat on the back, but just because they truely care and what the students do well.
Great input! I also believe that personal stories help to make you more real to your students. It allows them to see you from a different perspective and not just the guy (or gal) leading the lecture.
I agree with much of what has been said. Anyone can deliver a class, that is being able to expel information to the students. The difference is being able to "Deliver" a class. That is make them want the information. As Mr Lawrence said, getting the students involved is a big part of the "buy in" for this. Showing your enthusiasm towards a subject gets the students excited. Its contagious and will take the students to a learning plane.
When you spend time with the class and lab to make sure that they understand the lab and webbase traing.
We want the students to be confident
all classes seem to have there own personality. How they respond to you may be related to how you interact with them. Asking student about things that are important to them and allowing time for discussion may improve their desire to learn and stay in school.
This can be done I believe through allowing instructors the aprotunity to be involve with the course developement and training aids.
Agreed,
If the students see that you are commited to your job they are more inclined to stick with the course at all costs.
Now the chalange........ get everyone to show the same commitment.
Good words Dennis.
I once heard an HR person make the statement that "anyone can teach a class, all you do is click on the powerpoint."
I am sure that in your travels you will see instructors do just that, never elaborate or add substance to the subject. When I first started instructing my "coach" told me the powerpoint is a guideline, something to insure certain subjects were covered but it was not the final answer to the course. You were expected to bring some expertise and fresh insight into the classroom.
I also tell my students that I enjoy doing this for a living and "we" are going to learn something if I have any say in the matter. Notice I say WE, for I have found that each class brings me a learning expierience too.
