Top 10 Teacher Tips, Part II

Last week's post was Part I of Hotta Dover's article on teacher tips. It covered Tip 1- 5: being prepared, varieties of teaching strategies, encouraging interaction, building rapport, and use of the black/white board.

This week's post is the Part II, Tip 6-10, and is the final post related to the article.

6. Use Other Audio-Visual Aids Effectively
Audio-visual aids such as overhead projectors and transparencies, flip charts, audio and video players, etc. can be tremendous assets when used effectively, but great liabilities when not. Check equipment before class to ensure that it is working, that you know how to use it, and that tapes and counters are cued.

7. Manage Handouts
Try telling students that you will be giving a handout after presenting the material, but that you'd like them to listen and think for now.

8. Check for Understanding
Asking students the question, "do you understand?" is an ineffective means of checking comprehension. Depending upon the focus of the lesson, check comprehension by 1) asking students to make a choice such as, "Is this statement true or untrue?" or "Is the best answer A or B?" 2) giving a demonstration of a practical task; or 3) brainstorming further examples to illustrate a point.

9. Give Feedback
Keep feedback focused and positive.

10. Ask for Feedback
Give students regular opportunities to provide anonymous feedback on your teaching and the course. New teachers are encouraged to invite feedback from experienced mentor teachers as well.

Top 10 Teacher Tips, Part I

This week's post is from an article by Kimeiko Hotta Dover. Click on a link for the complete discussion.

1. Be Prepared
Before you set foot in the classroom, make sure you have a plan for the course and class. Share your plans with your class.

2. Use a Variety of Approaches
Plan a variety of approaches and activities for each session. Varying teaching strategies appeals to learning style differences and keeps participants attentive and engaged. Aim to get participants out of their chairs and interacting at least once per class.

3. Encourage Interaction
Have students work in pairs or small groups whenever possible. Not only does interaction acknowledge and draw upon the tremendous experience and knowledge adults bring to the classroom, but students gain confidence as they check and confirm answers with their peers.

4. Address Students by Name
Addressing students by name helps build rapport.

5. Use the Board Effectively
Bring your own whiteboard markers and/or chalk and an eraser to every class. Monitor the size, pressure and legibility of your writing. Use a variety of colors for emphasis and clarity.

Next week we will post the remaining five tips. They relate to visual aids, handouts, student feedback, etc.

Ten Principles of Learning

1. We learn to do by doing.
2. We learn to do what we do and not something else.
3. Without readiness, learning is inefficient and may be harmful.
4. Without motivation there can be no learning at all.
5. For effective learning, responses must be immediately reinforced.
6. Meaningful content is better learned and longer retained than less meaningful content.
7. For the greatest amount of transfer learning, responses should be learned in the way they are going to be used.
8. One's response will vary according to how one perceives the situation.
9. An individual’s responses will vary according to the learning atmosphere.
10. One does the only thing one can do given the physical inheritance, background, and present acting forces.

From: Edwards, Lea. "Interventions for Health Promotion", Health Education, 1981, Chapter 9.

Recognition for Beth Wickhamand Community Learning

Oregon Community Education honorees at the annual Oregon Community Education Association (OCEA) Conference included Beth Wickham as Community Educator of the Year for 2008. Beth, Supervisor of Community Learning as well as Director for the Business Development Center, was recognized for her tireless work promoting lifelong learning here at COCC.

The OCEA recognized that through Beth’s efforts, and that of her staff, the Community Learning department initiated a number of new efforts to better reach out to constituents including the implementation of an e-newsletter, partnerships with local Chambers to provide business education, creation of a community business directory website for the small business owner, and establishment of a blog where community learning instructors keep in touch with the department, and each other, along with learning about the many aspects of teaching adults.

Congratualtions Beth!!!

Carol Moorehead, Dean
Continuing Education & Extended Learning