Taught my first class this week. I need to be more of a storyteller rather than just presenting the information and now that they mentioned it, I remember I was "fidgeting" at times playing with the cap on a dry erase marker (making that squeaky sound).
I learned to make sure that I am commanding the room during lectures by speaking in a tone this is loud enough for everyone can hear while also keeping their attention. Also make sure not to fidget in any way as well.
Make eye contact with the students
Float around the room
Talk slowly and take pauses if students are taking notes
Great information on classroom management. The movement, pausing, smiling etc.
I am really good at walking around the classroom and making eye contact. However, sometimes it gets us off key when students ask individual answers because I am next to them.
I learned about keeping my students engaged, and minimizing distractions. Also, "floating" about the room as I lecture is a wonderful way to keep the students engaged with you and content. The instructor must speak clearly, smile, maintain eye contact with each student, and learn about the different cultures that find direct eye contact offensive and be sensitive to it.
That instructors should step away from their desk and move around the room the hold the students attention.
Use eye contact, video tape yourself for evaluation.
In this module, I have learned to present information in specific and manageable portions that students can internalize. Also, starting each class by discussing the previous class topic and how this relates the the new topic or information that will be discussed today.
The effectiveness and benefit for the pause! I will have to admit that I get a bit twitchy when the classroom is quiet. I tend to feel that learning is not occurring unless I or the students are busy talking. After this module, I will be certain to engage "the pause."
I learned a couple of techniques that I can incorporate as it relate to teaching via online.
It's important to be up and moving throughout the room.
I learned that moving around the classroom is good and using hand gestures. I do know I have some annoying tendencies when speaking like saying "um" , for example. I have to work on that. I need to use more examples as well.
I have learned to be aware of how to keep my students engaged more by walking around the class room, and sharing with my students about stories that are relatable.
This has been a wonderful and informative presentation, eliciting the importance of story telling and using one's own experience to share the application of analysis. I especially like the portion discussing the importance of having the students share a bit about their backgrounds when introducing themselves.
I learned few skills that I can use to keep my students focused.
1. Moving around the room keeping the students engaged.
2. Managing my tone of voice when speaking and keeping eye contact.
3. Keeping the topics that I am trying to make with the lectures to keep the students asking questions.
This module summarized the various communication skills needed and used in the classroom. Teachers must be flexible and willing to adapt their communication style based on the specific needs of their students and the learning objectives for each of our lessons. Combining the various styles will help create a dynamic and engaging classroom. I use many of these communication skills combinations in my classroom. I always try to use an example of my experience to show how the lesson will apply to the industry and how it will benefit the student.
Most interesting to learn that pausing actually helps students' brain refocus and retention of new information is higher. I teach cooking and yes, there is often an "uncomfortable pause" while waiting for the next step in a demonstration. I try to use that time to reinforce the technique...but I am now going to incorporate more of the pause into both lecture and demonstration. I see now how this can also help with building the critical thinking skills of students (allow them the time to formulate their own answers).
It's important to have clear and defined points. Only 3-5 per lecture to ensure retention of information by your students.
