Daria Saunders

Some students will have various learning disabilities, and to best help these students succeed it is helpful to know what supports have worked for them in the past. Some students may need a little extra time for taking tests, while some students may need to listen to lectures again after having recorded the session. 

It is important to keep in mind the additional difficulties that a student might have when learning in a different language than their own language.  Providing vocabulary words with definitions, as well as speaking those words clearly and slowly in class will help the ELL to integrate these words.  Additionally using the vocabulary words while teaching concepts and asking students to use the same vocabulary words in their discussions will help to cement this knowledge. 

Assigning groups can be tricky- there are many factors to consider such as experience levels and personality traits.  Assigning groups by "counting off" or choosing a number is a fair way to let  students know you aren't assigning favorites together.  Try to never re-arrange groups mid project.  This disrupts the group dynamics.  

Since I do have a tendency to fidget- I will have to make a conscious effort to not be distracting to my students.  Additionally, since this will be my first time standing up in front of a class as an instructor- I will need to be aware of the volume of my voice- to make sure that all can hear me appropriately, while not being too loud.  I will consider recording myself to see what I actually look and sound like to my students.  

I liked the idea about keeping notes on how each lecture/class went and how the lecture can be improved for the next presentation.  Additionally the tip on finding a positive comment to make for each student and how that will help if a correction on technique needs to be made later was helpful- keeping in mind how to build a relationship with the students.  

This module explained to me the importance of the first class meeting.  I will make myself a list of what items need to be covered including safety information and what the students should expect from the course.  I plan to ask my students how they became interested in cardiac sonography.  

Getting prepared for the first class should include walking around the classroom and evaluating it as if you were a student just walking in.  Are all of the supplies that will be used available?  Providing an organized space will assist learning.

This module has enforced that students will learn best in a safe, supportive and fair environment.  I also liked the way that this module explains the roles of an instructor as being a model, manager and motivator all wrapped into one.  I can see how important it is to remind students of how far they have come and encourage them to stick with their program to be successful.  

This module reminded me that varying cultures will have different mindsets with learning/learning outcomes, and that I will need to be mindful of this in a diverse classroom.  I also liked the idea of assigning roles for group projects or discussions- this helps everyone work together.  If two independent strong personalities both wanted to be the moderator then that could cause an issue, but if the roles are pre-assigned then that issues is already resolved.

I relate best to a facilitator as opposed to a scholarly type of instructor.  I will try my best to get engagement from each student during each class.  I will keep the body language tips in mind as well.