TIME FOR MYSELF OR TIME FOR THE STUDENTS
making time is good
streamlining and standardizing everything is good
but let's not forget the learning outcome.
our priority is for us instructor to make sure that the students understand and remember the class content, and there is no magical recipe.. you must orginize your time around them and make it as fruitfull as possible.
now.. is cutting corner and the use of technology really the best choice?...
I think you bring up an important point Laurent. As instructors, we must always focus on the learning outcome. When we can leverage technology to enhance the learning outcome of give ourselves the ability to better serve our students, we should. If technology ever stands in the way of those goals, we should not use it.
Making time for yourself is good but the important thing is the students. Planning is good but in the end making sure that we have a good student retention rate is key to know if we are doing our job.
I have struggled in one of my classes regarding our time management. It is a very hands on lab class and a lot of 1-on-1 competencies for dental procedures. I have 14 students and each student needs minimum 15 minutes each for their competencies. I feel like I have to rush them, due to the amount of time we have in class. I also have struggled with needing to be in a different room while doing these competencies and my other 13 students are alone in the classroom. I leave them a list of things they should be doing, but by the time I get done with my competencies with the other students half my class has disappeared.
Time spent with the class content and time for student to absorb the lecture are both important. There should be a balance between class time and student participation that way both the instructor and student will be productive and benefit from it.
Agreed Eva. We cannot teach our students everything. Sometimes, they've got to be proactive and spend time with the course material in different ways - like reading textbooks and watching videos. Even with the best intentions, we are not enough in providing our students complete learning experiences. So it's ok to take a break and let your students absorb course info on their own.
i agree. lately i have been making use of technology and posting quiz reviews, support materials, powerpoints and other items on the online student website and directing students towards that information rather than use up class time. that means more time for hands-on instruction and students are able to stay focused longer.
Let's also remember how our students learn best, and at this time it is looking like they really do repsond best through technology. We just have to remember to not get too caught up in technology as instructors and make sure there is a balance.
