What are some tips that you would give to new instructors to when they are having trouble finding their instructional style?

"WIIFM" Principle (Whats in it for Me) is a terrific way to think of this process. As a clinical instructor, I plan to tie-in my student's theory instructions through an assignment that requirs them to email me one concepts that excited or challenged them during the lecture. When they get on-site, our goal is to better understand what challenged them. I am hoping this activity will motivate my students by having an individualized goal for each clinical shift. When they accomplish THEIR goal, then they can truly feel progression towards their career goals.

I try to get my students involved by asking a question and then have them share what they believe is the answer.

Introductions are a great way to break the ice. Students and instructors share interesting facts about themselves; sometimes with “bragging rights”. Being able to engage in communicating similarities, and differences helps to put ones ideologies into perspective. Introductions are a great tool for expression, listening and the beginning of understanding individuality, as it assists in appreciating what everyone has to offer concerning learning. Are introductions beneficial to learning? -TWB

It can take a few seconds, for someone to evaluate you when you meet for the first time. Your students form an opinion about you based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, your mannerisms, your speech, and how you are dressed. Your attitude is subconsciously evaluated in as much as your attentiveness is. The key to a good impression is to present yourself appropriately. This is demonstrated in how well you “blend in with” your surroundings. A winning smile is highly recommended, as it can conceive a notion of comfort between student and instructor. Moreover, our candor and confidence can present as an ideal of ease in the transference of knowledge. This can help the students feel as though they are getting “their monies worth of formal education”. -TWB

Professionalism and communication is important in every professional setting. We should continuously assess our current personal levels of communication and professionalism. We should identify strengths that we have added within areas of development, that we have improved, and how successful we have been with achieving personal challenges. How can these challenges can affect our professionalism and communication within our career fields? -Tracy

I have an opportunity to work with a student with a learning disability. The program counselor had documented the necessary environment for teaching (non-stressful) and examination (required to be a quiet area so that student could focus). The student could also be prompted by instructor or counselor prior to exams.

In group projects, I encourage the teams to select the individual roles based on their experience or simply a desire to serve in a different capacity.

Teaching a class with students at various levels of reading understanding (particularly medical terminology) presents a challenge. The students must be willing to invest more time in that area. The instructor should encourage and provide as much resource information as possible.

It is so important to stay focused on the topic at hand. It is very easy to get pulled into another area when in open forum discussion. Staying focused but allowing the class to have some free range for discussion is sometimes a challenge.

Whenever we ask students questionsd in class wheither it is oral or written, after they have given their responses or written answers, we should explain to them as to why their response is correct or what makes it wrong. Students should not memorize answers but rather understand the answers to the questions.

Besides sharing our own experiences, inviting speakers over to give inspirational talks about their professional experiences, struggles, successful stories, etc. to students helps reinforce what we instructors tell them inside the classroom. Real-life stories not only inspire students, they also instill in them that although grades are important, they are not the only thing that they need. Softskills and attitude toward work are also a must.

The use of some kind name card at the students seat helps to learn names quicker.

you need to find a type of music that everyone in the class will listen to. Also you need to check with your management team to find out if the music you choose is appropriate and legal to play.

everything the cource will include is great,and it is a sure way to prevent the " I did'nt know that " excuse.

I like the section on Games and Simulations I use this method in my class, my students really enjoy when we play games as a review for a test they enjoy this more then any other review and it helps the ones that seen to have a hard time taking test.

I like and believe in the Pygmalion Effect I have been using this method for a while now and it really works the more the student thinks or knows that you believe in them the more it makes them believe in themselves.

every morning I will review the previos day.. this gets them thinking about what they did the day prior. Most the time it will bring back the question the forgot to ask.

Usually we lecture first about the subject.... then demo the task. try breaking up the lecture with smaller demo's during the lecture. This gets them out of the seat and moving around.

I have found using music calmes the nerves... as long as all the students enjoy what they are listening to.