Developing as an Instructor | Origin: ED101
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Effective Teaching Strategies --> Developing as an Instructor
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
I was reminded to reflect on what teachers made an impact on my learning and how they taught me. I was also reminded that everyone learns differently and it would be a good idea to understand students learning styles before I teach so that I can apply them in my planning. Being consistent is also an important factor, and remembering to set standards and maintain a professional relationship with students and coworkers.
I have learned what it means to truly help students and provide the type of leadership they need in the classroom.
I have taken away what is means to be professional in my job as an instructor and how to model it in more ways that one.
I have learned what it means to be a manager and a motivator when it comes to being an educator.
This module has shown me that being professional is more than just putting on a uniform and conducting a lab or teaching a lesson. It is the preparation before and conducting oneself after.
I have learned to do not try to show my students that i am smarter than them, to help them understand that we are all learning and engaging on how to become professionals in the medical felid.
I’ve learned the importance of creating a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes as part of the learning process. I have also learned with the time that the more prepared I am, the easier some questions are to respond to. If I show up, put together, on time, and prepared, it definitely reflects in how the classroom functions.
As I continue developing as an instructor, I plan to incorporate more active learning strategies, provide clear expectations and feedback, and connect classroom content to real-world nursing practice. I also want to continue improving my teaching by reflecting on student feedback and adapting instruction to meet different learning needs.
Being an effective instructor we have to model being on time, looking sharp, looking clean, iron clothes dont look like you slept with that clothes on the night before, give constructive criticism and be curtious.
Leading by example and treating everyone with respect is a winning combination.
Your students will "follow" your lead. You have to lead by example and be prepared for class, Engage with your students and make learning FUN! Get your students excited about learning your field.
From this discussion module, I learned what the three important roles of an instructor are: Model, Manager and Motivator. As a model to your students you as an instructor should always be on time, be neat in your appearance, have good hygiene and try to have a good rapport with every student. As a manager you should be able to manage your classroom/lab time efficiently. As a motivator, it is important not to become the students pal because that will go wrong for the instructor on day one.
Lead by example when preparing students to enter into your field. Learn the needs of the class to best adapt your learning style to fit the way they learn. Reflect on what went well and what did not to ensure constant improvement.
I learned that there's value of continuous self-improvement, feedback, and professionalism in order to better connect with students and enhance overall instructional effectiveness. I can apply these concepts by using clearer communication, adapting teaching methods to different learning styles, and creating a more engaging supportive environment for students.
What this module has shown me is that being professional is more than the uniform and conducting a lab. It is the preparation before. That encompasses many different things that are brought together for the enhancing of knowledge our students are looking for. Being able to deliver a lecture or conduct a lab is very important, but being credible, committed, and clear is essential to bringing excitement to learning. This will allow you to project our own personality into the instruction which will create ways to communicate years of experience to our students.
I enjoyed how these modules have described the instructor's role and hope through my years of doing this job I have lived up to the expectations. I firmly believe being professional at all times is extremely important and carries the most character impact in front of your learners. The number one rule to remember is to Not become Pals with members of your class. If you do things change drastically in the dynamics of your class
Being a first time instructor is very exciting for me, I am ready to jump in and be that role model for my students. This module has taught me a lot, and reminded me of what professionalism is for representing this school. Making sure my student are the best of the best is my goal and the only way for me to do that is to represent myself in a positive way and show that I actually care for them. Wanting every student that comes in my class to be a success is my number one goal. Learning new strategies to be better for my students will always be on my agenda.
I feel that developing as an instructor is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing process that requires intention, curiosity, and resilience. At the core of effective teaching is a commitment to continuous growth—recognizing that even experienced educators can refine their methods and deepen their impact. This begins with regular self-reflection: examining what worked in a lesson, what didn’t, and why. Thoughtful reflection allows instructors to make informed adjustments rather than relying on habit or assumption.
Equally important is the willingness to seek and accept feedback. Input from students, peers, or mentors can reveal blind spots and offer fresh perspectives that might otherwise go unnoticed. Rather than viewing feedback as criticism, skilled educators treat it as a valuable tool for improvement. This openness fosters a more responsive and dynamic teaching approach.
Staying informed about new instructional strategies is another key aspect of growth. Education is constantly evolving, with research introducing new insights into how students learn best. Instructors who engage with professional development opportunities—whether through workshops, reading, or collaboration—are better equipped to incorporate innovative techniques that enhance understanding and retention.
A growth mindset ties all of these elements together. Instructors who embrace adaptability are more prepared to meet the diverse needs of their students, recognizing that learners come with different backgrounds, abilities, and motivations. This mindset encourages flexibility in teaching methods while still upholding high expectations. The goal is not to lower standards, but to provide multiple pathways for students to reach them.
Ultimately, developing as an instructor means balancing consistency with change: maintaining clear goals and strong expectations while continuously refining how those goals are achieved. This approach not only improves teaching effectiveness but also creates a more engaging, inclusive, and meaningful learning environment for students.
Being a effective and positive role model is critical to increasing the engagement and efficacy of learning in and outside of the classroom. Students watch all the time even when we think they are not and will often highly criticize the behavior of an instructor who is not a positive role model but will often mimic that same behavior. This is why maintaining a effective and positive professional demeanor is so important.
Being a good role model for students is important. Learning to model professional behavior will set the standard from the students early in your career. Being consistent in that behavior is also important to student engagement.
