Sonya,
It's true, there are many tech savvy students, but not all are. One ongoing challenge is to find balance in the class so that we as instructors reach all our students with material that is useful, needed, interesting, current, and applicable to the trade they're preparing for. Naturally, if technology is a weaker area, the responsible instructor needs to take the time to bring themselves up to speed.
Barry Westling
I agree with you 100 percent. I understand that all of the students are not savvy with technology and that is a problem. Most of the places that they will be looking for employment will require them to have a degree of knowledge with technology. I try to encourage them learn as much as possible however most of that learning will have to take place outside of my classroom.
By assessing myself in an objective way, I am able to improve myself as an educator. Knowing my strengths and weaknesses can only serve to increase my effectiveness, not only in the classroom, but in general.
Sonya,
You're right. And for me, like many instructors, I've learned bits and peices as time has progressed. Yes, I taken classesss and attended training, but there's always little tips and shortcuts that I have received from others in an informal manner, in a conversational way, like "do you know how to...?"
Barry Westling
Dawn,
In management circles, they speak of making your weaker ares stronger. I think as long as we're open and willing to learn about where we're a bit weak, and flexible to learn, we'll do OK.
Barry Westling
I worked in another field before starting to teach. My mentor asked me to explain what I thought were my strengths and weaknesses were.
After making my list we talked about them and she dirrected me with my strengths and showed me how to improve my weaknesses. I looked at teaching as a sales situation. "I had to overcome the objections in the classroom to learning". Preparation was a hugh help and sold the class!
James,
Good for you! When ever we find a way that really connects with the class it is a great feeling and fuels more energy and enthusiasm into our instructional roles. It would be great to sustain that energy in every class session.
Barry Westling
When you know your strenghts and your weakness there is a point where can improve. Continue to change to meet your students needs.
If you are not sure where you stand in relation to your students, it may be easy to "cross the line" with the students or be their "buddy" instead of their leader. If you are unsure who you are, you will be unsure how to behave as a leader.
Michelle,
Yes, and having that willingness to recognize there may be weaker areas we can improve on, and openess to change is a key trait of good instructors.
Barry Westling
Michelle,
I agree. It's very important that we are positive role models. We can be cordial and friendly, but thinking of students as friends is unprofessional and potentially dangerous. Students need to look to us for direction and instruction. Students don't come to our schools to seek out instructors to be friends with. Rather, we are their facilitator of information and knowledge that leads to learning and readiness for the work place.
Barry Westling
It is important to have a good understanding of myself as an instructor, because you need to have in place goals, organization and ideas. If you don't have these how can you lead. The students need to understand you, your thoughts and your ideas as well as your skills. When they can understand these things then they can gain their own "aha moments".
Virginia,
A confident instructor knows their strengths, and can teach to those. Even weaker areas can be worked on if an instructor is willing to recognize where improvement is needed and work on making those stronger. Students like and need to see their instructor is both competent and confident.
Barry Westling
I am in dental education with years of experience, and I want to share and educate in my expertise. But I have been on clinic track and not been on the lecture/academic track. So in the NEW surroundings, I need to know myself for best preparation and presentation. With some anxiety, I am looking at myself in a different light.
Kerry,
Students will always appreciate the skilled knowledge that an experienced clinician brings to the classroom. All persons have certain traits they can exemplify regardless of their teaching experience. Chief among them are patience, good sense of humor, willingness to listen, flexibilty, confidence, and true care for students learning. It may be manefested among instructors differently, but these traits enhance the persona of the instructor.
Barry Westling
I thought it was interesting that personality leads to better student retention and progression. This being said it would be important to identify weaknesses to make them stronger. We can take our strength and use it against our weakness to make us stronger. Very valuable point.
Kyle,
Yes, I agree. A weaker area is merely a stronger area waiting to be developed.
Barry Westling
If you do not have a strong sense of self awareness as an instructor, it might be very difficult to change, grow, and understand where student critiques are coming from. You need to realize your personaity types and use them effectively while instructing a classroom full of students in order to best benefit their learning experience.
Daniel,
I think every instructor is unique, with their personality, style, background, and abilities. But all have the capacity to show patience, tolerance, embrace diversity, be approachable, have a good sense of humor, and care about their students success. With these traits demonstrated, our uniquness will shine!
Barry Westling
By Eddy Mojena
It’s important to know your strengths and weaknesses and within the students this helps you overcome and become a better teacher. At the end of class I always ask my student if I could do better what you would suggest.
