Get Your Students Hired
I would love to be a learner in my own classes. I hear my students talking to others about this one teacher that they have who is so excited to teach and gets excited about the material. Even when the information is dry and boring this teacher makes it fun and entertaining. I found out that they are talking about me. I have a great love for my classes and students and what my studnets to understand the material. I get them up and we have fun learning.
Engaging learners is the key to teaching success, Neader. From the examples of using Bingo and concentration to teach that you cited in your other posts, I know your students are glad to be in your class, too. You are doing a good job, please continue!
I would like to be a learner in my own class because I engage the learners and I show interest and excitement about what I am doing. I like the subject and make the material relevant to their future careers.
Robert, Dr Oz is very relateable, and it sounds like your classes have that format as well. Inviting the class to participate as a part of lecture is the job of the teacher, and you are doing it well. Thanks for sharing!
I would be there for the explanations and question and answer sessions that grow out of the lecture. I try to relate the material back to everyday body functions. This usually encourages questions about the body people would normally not ask. It feels alot like a Dr. OZ show! I think the info sticks better when a bit of body trivia is thrown in.
I agree, Amy, bored students are bad news. People will learn if they are having fun, and the classes are more engaging and memorable.
I think that we have to make learning fun and always keep our students on their toes.If I can't hold their attention then they don't learn well and they will get bored. I don't like having bored students,it makes the day go by slower.
I would want to be a learner in my own class because I like doing role playing, playing games and do critical thinking exercises.
In medical coding, we learn something new everyday. If we as instructors feel like we have learned it all, we should make the class more enjoyable and teach something new.
Stacy, your learners are lucky to have you. Setting a positive tone definitely sends a message of trust and cooperation to students. It's great you have this as your personal philososphy.
I try to be a very energetic, positive and happy instructor. I believe being a positive instructor who shows the students how important they are is very important and helpful to their education. I have had miserable teachers who made me feel as if they were annoyed doing their job. I never felt like I learned very much from that kind of teacher. Positive reinforcement is a great method and seems to be working well in my class.
I try to keep things light & fun in my classes. I've had students tell me my class is their "favorite", because we're alway doing something fun to learn, instead of me just standing at the podium speaking.
Animation in facial expression and voice intonation can be fun. I often wondered why I had interest in being a thespian in high school; as a grown-up,and nurse educator, it has helped keep interest, makes learning fun as well as memorable. The audience may be grade-school kids or grown adults in an evening class. So, the expression of "put your game face on"--works for me in the classroom setting.
Everyday experiences gives the class a real world connection and offers insight to students while giving you credibility.
I attempt to relate everyday experiences to the class in order to make the material more relevant and interesting to learn.
I also try to spend more time on activities than actually lecturing in this class. The text we use actually comes with a great website filled with interactive games. I make sure to put aside time once a week for students to go online and play some of the games for the chapter we are working with. It makes class more fun with them and I have gotten very positive feedback from students about the website. They are also thankful for the extra tool and to know that this is something they can sign onto and practice at home as well!
No matter what subject I'm teaching I always try to ask myself this question often. I try to put myself in the students place and figure if I would be bored out of my mind or actually enjoy the lesson I have planned. I think this helps alot with my planning and also helps me keep the students involved. If it is something I know would bore me then I know my students won't take to it well either!
Patricia, your students are lucky to have you, your experience with embracing change will inspire them. Keep up the good work.