Vincent Wincelowicz

Student learning must be facilitated in a variety of methods. The facilitator is a guide, coach, manager, and support person. Be prepared, ensure that your delivery method has been practiced and contains required content. Challenge your students to look beyond their basic assumptions so they can reflect and learn about themselves. 

Meeting the class for the first time I will be intentional about learning their names, making a safe learning environment, and allowing the students to feel comfortable with each other. I have used an "ice-breaker" in which I pair students up randomly and ask them to introduce their "new best friend". Lots of fun doing this and gets the class moving together. 

There are several points in this module: 

• Preparation of the classroom environment
  • Is it suitable for the class and students to move forward
  • Does it have all the resources, white board, computer, etc. necessary for the class 
  • Will students be comfortable in this classroom setting, for discussions, individual learning, etc.
• Preparation of the Syllabus
  • Is it detailed enough, does it follow the University guidelines
• Class Time
  • Be in the classroom early if possible
  • greet each student with enthusiasm
  • have a checklist!

Walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Having a professional development plan that one can easily follow is imperative. I know that I may be a SME in my field, but teaching is an evolving craft. The better I understand how to dialog with my students, the more they will be excited about moving forward in the field. I once had a culinary student who resisted taking a basic psychology course. I questioned him on the psychology of menus. Some are on the wall, some are paper, others are leather bound. The student then began to realize how important… >>>