Nancy Reeve

I like the code gestures or words that the students should use for "stop".  i used this with new staff when working in hosptal as the clinical educator.

Students can learn about their own subject from a different type of learning opportunity.  I like the observation suggestion while one is sharing about their best vacation.  It's important for students to remember that they need to keep their eyes and ears open when they are with patients to pick up on all needs.

This is my first faculty position, yet I remember being a student within the last two years.  My courses were online, and the ones I am teaching are now virtual with very little in-seat classtime due to Covid-19.  The virtual classroom is quite different, yet all the information is provided for the student up front.  

I know that I will be asking them "Who benefits from your progression through this program?"  I want them to think about it, and definitely want to do the best they can for the right reason.

It's also important to point out to the college… >>>

Empathy and caring about students is so vital.  I had one instructor in my leadership training who had zero empathy for any student.  It was always his way or the highway.  If you did not participate in the "extra" work and phone discussions, you were toast in his class.  That made me truly dislike HIS course.  He was the only instructor who made me feel that way.  I definitely take it to heart with my own students.  

I like the simulation.  We do that in nursing already, but what a great idea to add a situation to class groups to break up the monotony of lectures.  Mixing the learning strategies makes for variety and more memorable learning.

One point I did learn is that many adult learners return to the classroom, thinking like a high school student instead of as an adult.  This is interesting, because they already have some life experience which can be shared with their peers.  Returning to that old learning mentality can be detrimental to their learning.  So remind yourself that the adult learner has life experience and can contribute in ways we can only imagine.

Rembering that I was once a distance learner after more than 25 years out of my basic nursing training.  The change in the learning environment was so different, and i had to adapt and learn a new way.  

Compared to when I was in nursing school, I am hands on with my students and right there to give feedback on their skills and learning.  Usually, the first one has a bit of difficulty, but each student tends to learn from their peers.  By then end, each has had that ah-ha moment.  It's cool to see this happening.  And, it's important, as everyone has suggested, to keep it intersting to maintain student engagement.  

The learning environment should be comfortable and anxiety-free.  The instructor has the ability to set the tone of the course with the first meeting.  Utilizing all these suggestions will help me make a differrence in the way my students respond.  As the old saying goes, "You get one chance to make a first impression."  I plan to make it count in a positive manner.