I’ve decided on a focus for my blog after a term and a half of contemplation and piecemeal blogging. Since I began teaching at the university level, I’ve been completing an informal research study exploring how to best teach adult learners. I know best practices of teaching children, and I’ve spent years studying if these same strategies are effective with adult learners. My findings at the point indicate that YES! these practices are effective with adult learners but require a few adjustments. In future blogs I will address some of these techniques, including but not limited to:
· Offering student choice & providing opportunities for self directed learning
· Creating a classroom climate conducive to learning
· Providing ample opportunities to provided feedback to the instructor
· Modeling
· Providing “think time”
· Providing highly engaging lessons
· Focusing instruction with the big picture in mind
· Providing ample feedback on student performance
· Focusing on students’ strengths
· Being available and involved
Some of these topics will most likely be addressed in a series of posts. I appreciate the opportunity to model what it looks like to be a reflective practitioner, to celebrate successes and learn from mistakes, and to generate new ideas that inspire better teaching and learning for the future.
I also want to say that blogging about my work in a public forum is very intimidating and it often leaves me feeling vulnerable, exposed, and uncertain. There are many times when I deliberate what I feel safe discussing and what information I keep to myself. I suppose this is a typical professional behavior. Considering that we are putting our students to situations that evoke these same kinds of emotions, I’m taking this as an opportunity to further relate to my students. I so desperately want to connect to my students, just as I want our student teachers to connect to their students. I suppose this is just more modeling of professional teaching behaviors. Until next time- Cheers!
