I am accostumed to assess and identify different personalities in students, however, I had not made the connection with their learning style. I will pay closer attention in the future.
I have learned not to lose sight of the importance of creating a sense of community and sharing that includes all. I have often found that the more sharing of experiences, that apply to the topic being covered, the more the content comes to life. This also creates a more engaging learning environment and allows for better understanding of applying the principles being discussed.
"When the instructor creates a sense of community. Students understand how they fit within the learning community and thus are comfortable sharing with their peers."
We have to use a variety of teaching styles and personality styles to be successful an instructor. We cannot always do what is comfortable to us. And we must be willing to try new things and accept failure as a way to do it better next time.
I believe the days of academics sitting in the ivory tower spewing forth pearls of wisdom that students will happily retrieve are gone. The modern student expects far more than the traditional instructor-centric method of teaching, which includes the authority/lecture style we all know so well. As Seth Soronnadi said we need to create a sense of belonging, community, and genuinely care about the students and what they are learning. Furthermore, we also need to address how personalities, both that of the instructor and student, play into the equation.
As instructors thinks about personality traits which may make them more successful. However on an online enviroment, without interpersonal meetings, in an asynchronist enviroment, this is a totally useless module. It says several things should be considered. The following are most important. A successful instructor
- respects students; (Hard to gain online)
- creates a sense of community; (Provided students take the time to participate)
- is warm and caring; (Hard to have without personal contact)
- is accessible;
- is enthusiastic;
- sets high expectations;
- has a love of learning;
- is a leader;
- can “shift-gears”;
- collaborates with colleagues; and
- maintains professionalism.
Successful instructors incorporate personality characteristics into various aspects of their teaching to create a welcoming and respectful learning environment for all students. Instructors must listen to students’ ideas and value what they can bring to the classroom. Students will then feel they are learning in a safe environment and begin to express their own feelings/beliefs while they learn to respect and listen to others.
Still not sure how this happens on an online situation.
I have taught at length both classroom and online. They require different communication skills. Online, you do not see immediate emotion and must understand to foolow the student very closely to ensure effective communication and understanding of task requirements.
I learned the different traits of TC personality for instructors and learners and how them influence the on line learning enviroment.
Initially online I was more athoratative but as I've become more comfortable with the platform my style has become more relaxed and I tend to be more of a facilitator.
I have learned that nothing is set in stone. You may start at a younger age with a certain color trait but it may be entirely different as you gather life experiences and maturity. My younger students tend to be orange(ish). They do have some blue and green. Just being able to recognize the differences will help the instructor and student succeed.
I had been using the Authority/Lecture style but found out quickly it doesn't always work in the online environment. I still "lecture" but I also demonstrate and facillitate.
Course development should take into account both, instructor and learner characteristics, to be effective.
Time for a confession. I am TERRIBLE at delegation. I am the person who has to do everything. If you're struggling, I want to jump in and do it for you. I have worked hard to not do that in a classroom setting. Especially when I see someone getting angry. It took me a long time to get to the "guided questions" stages of teaching. A "That looks good, but if you take another look over here, you might see something else." type of statement. I had one student say he hated me, in a joking way of course. He was working on a coding project all weekend and couldn't get it. He came in on a Monday and told me about it. I said I would take a look. He said "No, you'll fix it in 3 keystrokes." I said there is almost no way that I can do that...well, I did. I said, "I am so sorry...1, 2, 3. OK it works..." and then I walked off. He said he hated me and we laughed.
Colors are meaningful. Understanding your own color as well as that of the students is benefical for all parties involves. It leads to a successful online experience.
I've learned that I have to make my students want to take part in my class, make them comfortable, feel welcome to the class and also make them feel that they are part of the community.
I learnt that setting the "energy level", "authority level" in the class has more than one avenues that an apet instructor must explore and not be tied down to "THis is how i was taught and hence i will teach it the same way"
Several personality traits can make instructors more successful. These include respect warmth and caring, ability to build learning communities, accessibility enthusiasm, lover of learning, accessibility, leadership, collaboration, and professionalism. Traits that help students to be successful include curiosity, motivation and diligence, questioning and sharing. ION believes they must also be good at written communications and pro-active with communication, be motivated and self-desciplined, and have critical thinking and decision-making skills. Instructors may use five different teaching styles: authority/lecture; demonstrator/coach; facilitator/activity; delegator/group; and hybrid/blended style. Although facilitator/activity style is noted to be the most effective for online learning, it seems that a hybrid/blended style would be most effective in being able to communicate with and bring out the best in online learners in many different situations. I will endeavor to develop that blended style even as the facilitator/activity style is the approach I prefer.
It is important to mix up my content delivery style so that all students are given an opportunity to learn in their comfort zone.
GLoria, I learned thw we as instructors need to be respectful and welcoming for all students, make sure that we value what are saying , make sure we have a welcoming enviroment with int the online setting. If we do these things then students can feel safe in their learning experience and feel comfortable ot share.
Its important to know how personality characteristics interact with students and how know the different learning syles of each student.
Being able to shift gears is useful during the course, knowing the different learning styles of each student is helpful.
Seth Soronnadi
I agree with the statement that "When the instructor creates a sense of community. Students understand how they fit within the learning community and thus are comfortable sharing with their peers."
