Clifton Edwards

ED102 provided some great techniques for helping the instructr to maintain focus on students, to stay on track and not become distracted. I would add that the instructors can also benefit from encouraging student participation, particularly to maintain focus. In a sense, it is a two-way relationship although the instructor is of course responsible for maintaining focus. One technique would be to play a game with the students. The instructors ask the students qestions and points are awarded for correct answers (points not contributing to the grades), and students ask the instructor questions who is awared points for correct answers.… >>>

This course lended great support to my understanding of techniques to deliver course content to the students. The course content must (particularly with adult learners and techincal-vicational education) be presented through a participative and sensory stimulating strategy; sensory being auditory, visual, tactile. Learners need to be engaged, stimulated and then participate in exercises and challenges recall the information. Prior to ED101 I would have focused on cycling through teaching strategies, now I focus on combining teaching styles (especially during lectures) to catch the attention of as many students as possible. Has anyone found an effective strategy for engaging tactile students… >>>

This course should be a prerequisite for instructors before teaching their first class. This course described the importance of establishing a good rapport from the onset. I think the techniques explained in the course could be summarized as the: icebreaker, share, reciprocate, direct, and then lead-instruct. The icebreaker is the first step however, and the manner in which the instructor chooses to make his or her introduction will set the tone for the course at least for the first week. I think that an introduction which includes a brief and interesting story which is also a bit humorous (and truthful)… >>>

As a new instructor with a strong background in project and program management, I approached instruction from a perspective of managing time and resources, and leadership. This course helpd to fill in some of the blanks which can be left open when transitioning from a leadership-management role. I appreciated how the course suggests adhering to schedules, curriculum and guidelines, also the importance of flexibility and slightly fine tuning the course to the needs and individual learning styles of the students. Planning and preparation should include not only the lesson plans, but planning for on the spot changes, having back-up plans… >>>