New Teacher
Learning how to teach is challenging and rewarding.
Hi Lisa,
What are some of the things you have picked up in your professional development that are making you a more effective instructor?
Gary
Learning how to teach all students of different levels is very challenging.
Hi David,
Yes, it is but by being creative in your instructional planning and listening to what the students are saying in relation to their learning you will be able to better target your instruction to them. The reward will be their enhanced learning. I wish you the best in your teaching.
Gary
Being a new teacher is a good feeling untill I have a student that doesn't understand the concept that anything they learn in prior classes that are important in there field of study. It makes me feel as if iI could or should be doing something else. Even when I know that right now this iws where I need to be to pay it forward for learning so much from my teachers.
Hi Sharon,
Good point. We instructors face this situation frequently and it is always a challenge to try and help these students to turn their attitudes around and see it is their futures that we are helping them to plan for, but they have to put forth the effort to be successful.
Gary
Hi, Sharon,
I completely agree! I am a new instructor as well and find it very challenging in the sense that I become frustrated because of their bad attitudes. I feel as if I am failing as a teacher! Though, I'm learning that I can not take responsibility for it. Id do think if I had some other way or tools to use to help change their attitudes, learning might become easier and students may change their attitudes.
Hi Sharon,
I am right there with you. Maybe i just don't remember being a student, but I am astounded by the number of times students fail to do required reading, turn in homework or even come to class! The two classes I teach are related and i have some of the same students - today they told me they didn't "have to know class A while in class B"! I too am trying to model my favorite instructors from my past.
I am seeing this lazy behavior as well in our program, in addition to pessimistic attitudes. At first, it was frustrating to me. However, I listened to the students and learned of many personal and financial issues that were going on in their lives. It was affecting their course work and concentration in my classes. This helped me plan a little differently and work with the students so that they didn't have to leave the program. When I listened, I saw an attitude change.
I agree that when you do listen to some of the students concerns and find out what is going on you can direct that student in a new direction and retain them also as a student
Hi Stephanie,
Thank you for sharing this example of how you were able to engage the students more once you had listened to them and learned about their lives outside of the classroom. They saw a caring and concerned instructor that wanted to help them succeed. This is a great compliment to you.
Gary
I worry that there is a fine line between listening to their personal problems and breeching the professional boundries. How do you draw that line so the students still view you as an authority, not a pal? I also worry that they will take advantage of any concern shown for their problems and use it to manipulate the system. Am I too cynical?
Hi Mandy,
You can show concern for the life situations that your students are facing but in the process remind them that a project is due or an assessment is coming up. This way you are continually reminding them of the fact that you are the instructor and they are the student. You are doing it in a subtle way but reminding them never the less.
Gary
David, I completely agree with you. As a new instructor I came into a technical school where I was to teach a new group of students. I quickly learned how different the students were. My first class was a Keyboarding class and I didn't realize that my older students were very computer illiterate compared to my younger students. It took a few weeks to slow my younger students down and speed my older students up. Seven weeks into the class, we are well paced.
I am a new teacher and eager to start my first class. I am excited just thinking how I need to be creatve and be able to share my experiences in the field but at the same time anxious about how the students will perceive me.
I have to say that all 4 modules of ED 101 has helped me a lot and I hope to be able to use what I've learned.
Hi Gerlyn,
Welcome to teaching. I am excited for you as well. I have been a teacher for many years and still enjoy start a new class of learners. Glad to hear you have gotten a lot of information that will be useful to you as a result of taking ED 101.
Yours in teaching.
Gary
