Instructional Delivery & Assessment

Public

Ask a question from your peers to help you in your professional work. Seek different points of view on a topic that interests you. Start a thought-provoking conversation about a hot, current topic. Encourage your peers to join you in the discussion, and feel free to facilitate the discussion. As a community of educators, all members of the Career Ed Lounge are empowered to act as a discussion facilitator to help us all learn from each other.

Jesse Richter

First Class

There are so many methods of starting the first class. The aims are many: to relax the students, to provide introductions, to explain the course, etc. I find that it really depends on the student population. For example, more experienced and older students (e.g. adults) usually like to cut to the chase and trim out all of the unnecessary introduction material. Younger and less experienced students usually need more time to adjust to the new environment, and they require more assurance.

Jesse Richter

Syllabi

One thing I've learned from teaching is the importance of the syllabus document: having a very well-developed, detailed, and informative syllabus helps not only the students, but also the teacher in terms of understanding the overall nature, structure and direction of the course as it unfolds. I recommend putting a lot of time and thought into developing this critical document. It should also be continually updated and improved as the instructor learns what works and what doesn't.

Jesse Richter

Soft v. Hard

One thing I noticed about one's instructional style is that culture is often important. While teaching in the public secondary system in the US, I noticed that it's usually more effective to be stern with students at first, and then permit flexibility later. In other cultures, for example when I taught in Asia, it was the opposite: it paid off more to be very warm and open with students at first and then be strict later in the school year. I think it is important to note this important cultural difference in terms of instructional approaches.

shari gibson

preparing for class

I would like to think if as an instructor and i come prepared the students will feel confidence in me and also i would lead by example

Joseph Drewery

When teaching new classes

Is it ok to let new students know about past unsuccessful behaviors from past students.

Teri Campbell

Dyslexia

I have never understood fully the problems of dyslexia. I only knew that a few letters would be exchanged for others. After reading the sentence, and seeing how people with dyslexia see it I was shocked. I have learned a great deal from this.

Teri Campbell

learning disabilities

I did not realize that students with many learning disabilities, had the same intellegence of those of average or higher. I was amazed to read about this. I did not think that they were less smart, but was able to understand how they were seeing things in a much better way,

Teri Campbell

Life experiences

I didn't realize that life experiences would be so critical in helping the students in class. I do use them periodically, but I think after reading this module, I will use them much more.

Teri Campbell

Learning methods of ell students.

I have not experienced a great deal of this kind of a problem as yet. Most students that speak spanish, are very capable of understanding english. But it would seem to me that if you did have a great barrier, that it would continue to take away from the rest of the class. Is that true, or as you continue on, things would get easier?

Teri Campbell

using more gestures, and physical presense.

I sometimes don't use enough gentures while in the classroom. I know I have a physical presense. But the times I have used gestures, I recall that it got the attention of the students in a much better way.

Teri Campbell

Pausing during class instruction

I realize that I should take the time to pause more often, to keep track of what everyone is doing in the classroom. It would definately keep me on track, as well as the students. I could spend more time with those that seem a bit lost.

Teri Campbell

Instruction tools

I have found that the more instructional tools you give, the more the students will absorb. They are usually very excited with all of the different ways they can learn new topics.

Jennifer Fortino

Cold Start

I totally agree with this theory. It is important to get to your class early be organized, small talk with the students when they come in. This creates a calm atmoshpere.

Jennifer Fortino

Study Skills

I think it is very important to share some study skills that will help in each indiviual course.

Jennifer Fortino

Planning

It is very important to have a good course outline. It is easy to get side tracked with disscusion and having a strong course outline will help getting back on track.

Jennifer Fortino

Style

I totally agree with looking professtional. It is very important to the way your class will run. I also agree with being on time and making sure assignments are turned in exactly when they are suppose to be.

Sylvia Creech

Learning Styles

When we (instructors) take a moment to learn and implement the various learning styles it shows our students that we are engaged in their learning

Sylvia Creech

What makes you any effective instructor?

what makes you any effective instuctor?

John Siket

Encouraging students to ask questions about lecture topics

Are there any rules of thumb regarding this? Oftentimes I'll lecture on a difficult concept and I'll ask if there are there any questions. I don't seem to get many or any at all. Thanks.

Lucetia Davis