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This Week's Topic Instructor Management and Communication Good presentation skills are a must for instructors. In a classroom, the way you deliver the material is as important as the organization of the material. This week’s tips will help you with both non-verbal and verbal skills. This Week's Tips Good Communication Skills (Monday) When you are in front of a class, you are “on stage.” Students tend to judge the course by how well you present the material, and by how you react to students. At all times, you’ll want to give your best performance. To do so, follow these tips: Always be attentive and courteous. When students speak, listen, nod, and respond appropriately. Avoid upstaging students or answering before a student has finished speaking. Presenting Yourself for Good Communication (Tuesday) Greater learning takes place when students feel the instructor is communicating, and students equate good communication with good presentation. Be sure to use this week’s Download Depot checklist to help you determine what areas of presentation skills you want to work on. Also, remember to dress appropriately. You are the instructor, not the student. Finally, be confident, but not cocky.
What is Your Body Language Saying? (Wednesday) Non-verbal language speaks loudly. Students react to how you stand, how you place your arms, and how often you look at them. Use the following tips for good non-verbal communication: Make eye contact with students. Make sure you don’t speak to only one side of the room. When writing on the board, make sure you maintain a relationship with the students rather than the board. Keep talking, and pause to look at your students. More on What Your Body Language is Saying (Thursday) Here are more tips for improving your non-verbal communication with students: Avoid crossing your arms over your chest. Crossing your arms may be perceived as closing down. If you put your hands in your pockets, make sure you don’t play with keys or coins. Move around the room, but avoid pacing. Movement keeps students interested; pacing is perceived as nervousness. To get the attention of students who are disruptive, stand near them. Verbal Communication (Friday) Some voices are more pleasing to listen to than others. Students want to listen to the instructor. Make it easy for them by having a pleasing voice. Use these tips: Male voices are generally easier to hear because of the deeper pitch. If you are a female with a high-pitched voice, you may want to practice lowering your voice a notch. Speak loudly enough so that students can hear you without strain. Breathe and relax. Shaky voices imply nervousness. |
