ED102
I found the most important aspect of this learning module to be the emphasis on teacher enthusiasm. I have long known that if I'm bored, the studernts are. Moreover, delivering the content with vim and vigor helpt draw the students into the learning and increases their skills.
Seems to me like my guys like to know I'm not just trying to "respeak" what is in any powerpoints or in the book. If the 'teaching' is just dryly rehashing things they may read, they get tired of it really fast. When you can put personal spins on things, and have a passion for your line of work - the students do get engaged and WANT to be there.
Some of my challenge with enthusiasm is teaching the same class over and over - at my school it is 6 8 week courses over the year. Yes, I do change things up, but I have noticed after teaching it for the 4th time, I'm re-using a lot of stories!!
Hi Anita,
I understand your concern about needing to change things up to keep your interest high. I teach the same courses three times a year so each time I plan for the courses I try to introduce something new to try. This gets my enthusiasm up because I'm not exactly sure how this new strategy will work. Makes teaching both fun and challenging so my interest stays high.
Gary
I teach a morning class that starts around 6am and I know that if I enter the classroom unmotivated and tired then that is how the students will reflect back to me. Being as it is a morning class I need to be especially passionate about the subject... even if it is automotive electronics... not he most heart pounding adrenaline pumping course. I like to draw on some of my older students experiences and I find that this also helps to draw in the younger students because they see their peers interacting with me and see the real world application of the course material.
I find that when I'm teaching an area that I'm interested in, my enthusiasm naturally comes out. When I'm enthused, I can see a noticeable increase in student participation. And even in test results, the areas that I'm the most enthused about result in higher scores among the students.
Knowing the material is important, but my years of personal experiences bring a natural enthusiasm and confidence to the classroom discussion that the students pick up on.
Hi Joseph,
I always enjoying hearing from an instructor that likes being an instructor. This may sound strange but many instructor don't any enthusiasm about their field or that fact they get to share their experiences with students. So keep up the excitement and I wish you much success with your teaching.
Gary
I totally agree with you about having to be enthusiastic about what you are teaching. I walk around the room when I teach and actually go up and give the student a high-five or congratulate them or clap when a student responds with the correct answer. My voice raises, and the students can hear that. Then they all want a piece of the action, knowing they too are going to get that positive reinforcement from me.
Are the same students in the class every time? If not, don't worry about it. Students love to hear real-life stories, and if you have new students every six-eight weeks, it doesn't matter, in my opinion. With that being said, I teach the same class every mod, but I always switch things up. Some mods I play a game with my students for a prize at the end of the mod to keep them focused and motivated on the subject at hand. Other mods, we go on field trips or have guest speakers. Other mods, I hold class outdoors. Just a little something different every mod. But I wouldn't worry about telling the same stories. Students love to hear things like that especially when they relate to the field they are going into.
I agree with this. If students see you're enthused they will be too.
Along the same vein I started putting smiley faces on the perfect papers. Was a bit unsure how that would be received so I asked a couple students if they wanted them. They even returned the papers to me for their smile. Now I'm wondering about the use of the little stickers for jobs well done. Seems the feedback isn't embarrassing to them as I thought it might be. By the way, last quarter was my first in formal adult ed. Had taught groups before but mainly in-service type things that were short term.
