Enjoying a challenge
I enjoy a good challenge when teaching my class. I welcome the opportunity to present the information I am teaching in as many different ways as I can to reach my students. This platform is full of great ideas.
Thank you.
I completely agree with you, Robert. I usually begin my classes with introductions by myself and get to know some "fun facts" about the students to break the ice, but when reviewing the course syllabus and rules, etc. I ALWAYS make a point to tell my students quite candidly that I am here for THEIR success and that I will always welcome suggestions and feedback as to what types of teaching modalities work best for them. My students have greatly appreciated this, and really seem to retain information when I draw charts, time lines, etc. on the board as I lecture. I also usually try to break students into groups and assign topics for presentation to the class by groups for reinforcement of the topics. Another place I like to use different modalities is with my quizzes - anything from a case study to a crossword to a simple multiple choice. Challenges are fun!
Thanks!
Robert,
Challenges like this are what makes teaching fun and keeps us from getting bored when presenting the same material over and over. If we are excited about our content our students will be as well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Great posts, I start off my day , greeting my students. I then ask ,is there anything that they are needing help in. If many of them answer the same thing. Then I will start off each day with one of the topics that is needed. I try hard to help the students in as much ways as I can. I want to see them succeed.
Yvonne,
Like the way you open your classes as you are checking for understanding and then customizing your instructional delivery for that class based upon the feedback that you receive. This helps to keep your students moving forward as a learning group and gives you confidence in how you are delivering the material.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
challenges are a great tool to use in class it make students think harder
Clemon,
Yes they are because the students are going to face many of them when they are in the workplace. The more experience they have in meeting challenges the better prepared they will be in their career.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I understand what you mean because I also welcome and even enjoy challenges. One of the reasons I accepted the job position to be an instructor is because I knew it would present new challenges to me. At my previous job, I was never challenged, which meant I was not growing as an individual. Overcoming challenges is what makes me stronger. Although a challenge may seem difficult while it's going on, it gives me a sense of satisfaction once I've overcome it. Also, many things that are worth doing will present challenges. This applies to both physical and intellectual endeavors. Skiing, for example, will present a physical challenge. Teaching, on the other hand, will present an intellectual (and sometimes emotional) challenge.
Regina,
These types of challenges are what keeps us going. By expanding our world to include challenges as well as opportunities we motivate ourselves and this motivation spreads to our students. This then becomes a win win situation for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Regina,
I know exactly what you mean by saying that you accepted the position of an instructor for the challenges. I felt the same way when switching paths in my career, I find my new job extremely rewarding and enjoy the daily challenges.
