What do you do if your teaching needs a boost?

The first time I realized my students were bored in class, I immediately said, "Let's do something different." They ended up writing amazing song parodies about the most memorable things they've learned in class and ever since then, if I get frustrated about something in the classroom, we change course and we do something else. Sometimes they decide, sometimes I decide, and sometimes it's consensus but the point is: We always end up having more fun, learning more, and liking the class more. <3

Teaching is an art. You must improvise regularly to be a role model and give your students the best. Whatever you teach is surely available at some or other places; however, as a teacher, what you add value to is by giving your students the best content and, at the same time, explaining the same thing in a much easier manner. The best way to boost your teaching is to introduce practical experiments.

One thing I've found effective is engaging more with students. For instance, giving them an activity to role play a simulation scenario (how demand management is done using simulation in the context of services). It makes both the teaching and learning process both interesting and effective. Getting feedback from students also helps in boosting our motivation and confidence. This can easily be done via LMS too, by getting feedback for specific lesson/chapters/session. On top of the above, peer evaluation too supports to get fresh perspectives on how to improve our teaching methods. However, you need reliable peers who give honest opinion, not the ones who drag you down.

Whenever I find that sessions are becoming, slow and not motivating, I share latest articles, news articles' on related topics, plan activities. Some time I also share videos' and live examples for same. At last I have also tried many course personally and share my certificates and results with students to motivate. I also invite guest speaker who are working closely in related areas who come and share their thoughts on same.

I have noticed over the past twenty years that students need a variety of interactions in the classroom. Pursuantly, an important thing to always have in mind for boosting one's teaching is that a single teaching/lecturing mode can no longer work. Based upon the contents you want to have discussed in class, based upon session duration and time of the day, you should consider a mix of some of the following interactions: 1. Brief lecture or recap – max 30 min 2. Group work – no limit 3. Workshop/tutorial mode 4. Collective discussion – max one hour 5. Quizz/Poll as the basis for content delivery (e.g. Kahoot) – 10 questions for one hour discussion 6. Use of ChatGPT with students and discuss what results different prompts return – c.30 min

Introducing new ways of teaching not only boosts morale but infuses enthusiasm in the class. I have always believed in the participative mode of teaching. In my thirty years of teaching experience, I have seen how drawing out students is a great way to engage them. During the pandemic, I moved to make them take ownership by getting them to make presentations and initiate discussions. Google Classroom was a great help. Now, when we are back to offline teaching, I assign them topics for discussion and give them case studies, quizzes, and movies/shows to watch so that they can relate to what they are being taught. I encourage them to share their feedback and come up with ideas to make the class more engaging and get value from it.

When teaching needs a boost I believe we should start reflecting what must be changed or improved. Routine is good but we always need some creativity! I would start thinking about some new and interacting activities which involve students’ participation. I have seen the most simple strategies are sometimes the best way to enhance or recover motivation. Asking for advice is always helpful and taking into consideration the students ‘ feedback can ignite our understanding about what else we need to do in the classroom. I believe our attitude while teaching makes a huge difference and this is maybe the first aspect we should consider.

I like to give my MS students “stop-start-continue” surveys. I ask them on a form: -Which instructional practices would you liked to see stopped? -Which instructional practices would you like to see started? -Which instructional practices would you like to see continued? The value from these surveys reliably pays dividends or identifies blind spots each semester.

One thing I have found helpful is to ask for feedback from students and colleagues after the lessons. This helps to get genuine responses.

Solicitar feedback é essencial na metodologia ativa, pois permite ao educador ajustar suas estratégias didáticas e atender às necessidades dos alunos. Isso fortalece a cultura de aprendizado colaborativo. Coletar feedback de várias fontes e em diferentes momentos do processo de ensino não só melhora a qualidade da educação, mas também demonstra aos alunos que suas opiniões são valorizadas, promovendo um ambiente educacional dinâmico e adaptativo..

Feedbacks from your students helps you to identify areas where you need to make improvements. They will also help you reflect on what you need to change, improve or retain.

I feel learning is a continuous process and we need to update regularly. After a set span of five to six years in teaching profession many feel contented with knowledge acquisition, but getting regular feedback from students will allow us to think what is their expected level.

Feedbacks are always the best way to increase interest among the students. This enhances one to one teaching experience. And it's good to know what you as a teacher are lacking.

For me, feedback has to come from someone I trust, appreciate, value. And I have found, by far, the best, hardest, yet most useful feedback comes from my students, irrespective of grade. This feedback is great in the dark winter months, when it becomes easy to go on autopilot and do so little. There is little they won't tell you if you ask and it grows the appropriate professional relationship that allows you to do the same with them. Once I became an administrator, I still get better insights on stuff from kids than I get from colleagues or teachers. Feedback coming from someone you trust, appreciate, and value is huge no matter who it is from, but student feedback is valuable in a roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-to-work kind of way.

Students are often the best source for real-time teaching feedback. Adding a mid-semester anonymous check-in survey that they complete during a class or that is incentivized will provide a teacher with details on areas to improve. Those areas can then be researched and implemented if it’s reasonable to do so in the same semester. Colleagues are also a great source of feedback. Asking peers in different departments or colleges about their teaching strategies is often more enlightening than asking those in our own department who we speak with daily because we already know their teaching methods through meetings and discussions.

In my experience if I need a boost I stop and reflect. Talk to my students about what they think is working and isn’t working and maybe invite a colleague in to observe and ask for their feedback.

La colaboración entre colegas es fundamental en cualquier ámbito; sin embargo, algunos sistemas educativos no la favorecen. Cuando las autoridades escolares hacen evaluaciones individuales de los profesores y consideran individualmente valores como la innovación o el "control de grupo", generan una competencia sin sentido entre el personal docente. Los profesores protegen sus mejores prácticas antes que compartirlas, lo cual va en detrimento de todos. Es mejor establecer metas comunes y celebrar a las personas por compartir y formar a otros, antes que favorecer las practicas individualistas.

Collaborating with all the stakeholders of academic processes is one of the most effective methods, in such cases. It really helps one a lot to identify the causes of problem origination amd the possible techniques to address those to eradicate or eliminate those.

In my experience, working with colleagues to both motivate and modify my practice is the best way to move static practice in both leadership and teaching.

The greatest asset a teacher can tap into are their colleagues. I think also a visit to another school with clear intention of what you want to learn will also boost morale, energy, and provide great professional learning.

There will never be anything better than collaboration, plus using the true version of Diversification as a cognitive tool for brain storming new ideas, which draw out children's creative and critical thinking. When in doubt about your own skills, ask other teachers their strategies and addbyour own touch. In the interim of burnout or boredom, allow children to collaborate together by choosing projects they'd like to do. Assist them as needed while they navigate through their own ideas, while you take notes of observation as children discuss and interact with one another. OBSERVATION is the best technique because that is a skill where you will learn the most.

Simon Sinek writes “Together is Better” a short read with great impact. If you feel you’ve stagnated or need a refresh I have gone out and attempted to plan things with partner teachers. Having a like-minded or complementary educator can often re-invigorate your planning. Coming up with lessons that are inter-disciplinary are often times the boost you will need. Having your students see this kind of professional collaboration is also a great modeling tool. If McDonalds can boost their Happy Meal sales with a collab with Squishmallows or Adopt Me you can boost your lessons as well. Best of luck! Fail forward!

Es importante reflexionar sobre tu propia práctica. Esto me lleva a poner en práctica nuevas herramientas, nuevas tecnologías aplicadas a la docencia así como metodologías activas que vayan acordes con los contenidos de las asignaturas que imparto. Lo más importante es aprovechar el feedback del estudiantado que te permite ir mejorando e implementando innovaciones y cambios significativos que apoyen la transferencia y el impacto de las competencias. De este modo, acercas al alumnado a entornos de práctica real.

New perspectives are frequently the result of collaboration. Attend conferences, workshops, or online forums to network with other educators. Creative teaching ideas can come by exchanging experiences, tactics, and materials. Through the sharing of best practices and encouragement from one another, collaboration fosters the development of a support system that helps teachers succeed in their careers.

An impactful example of this is learning walks. It’s incredibly useful to observe your colleagues, those who teach a similar content and those who may not. There are multiple “right ways” to teach and it is helpful to see different practices.

Set clear learning objectives:clearly define your learning objectives for each lesson to help students understands what is expected of them. Reflect on your teaching style :Consider what worked well in the past and areas where you could improve. Also check on student's feedback. Professional development Seek feedback Use active learning strategies Peer observation

I've been thinking this year about this exact question. I needed to bring a spark into teaching, helping and encouraging my teams. So, I decided to go back to the basics and become a student again in a few things, diving into something completely out of my comfort zone. Experiencing the challenges and excitement of learning firsthand has really helped me see things from a different perspective. It's sparking a lot of new ideas and approaches for me personally.

Reflecting on your practice is important for growth and improvement in teaching. When you systematically review your methods, outcomes, and feedback, you can uncover insights that might not be apparent in the day-to-day flow of teaching. Using tools like journals or blogs can make this process tangible and trackable over time. Reflective models, such as the "What? So what? Now what?" cycle, provide a structured way to break down experiences, analyze their impact, and plan actionable changes. This approach not only helps in honing your teaching strategies but also in aligning them more closely with your students' learning needs, ultimately leading to a more effective and engaging educational experience.

Reflection is key. Debreif on critical incidents as frequent as possible. When possible, debreif with another person who was apart of the experience or is aware of the experience you are reflecting on. Only through lessons/reflection of our past can we be better.

I like to pay attention to the feedback from participants and align that with current data trends. This allows me time to reflect on new approaches, while assessing the current techniques that I use.

Professional development as like in any field is important in education as well. Equipping ourselves with the right certifications and trainings will make us stand out.

After each semester, I review a sample of assignments, go over the syllabus, and call a friend. When I call and friend I talk about my highs and lows for the semester and hear theirs out. I also look for a new article or book to add to keep current.

For me reflection is the key to improve your teaching style , and boost your teaching. The more you reflect the more you learn ,and consequently the more you improve. When I started my career as a language Instructor I was a different person. Through reflection practice I enhanced my knowledge and skill and trained myself further. Besides I learned about different teaching styles when after reflection I compared mine with others. However ,there are certain other factors to boost your teaching , but for me reflection is to their core , and today I can say it proudly that if I’m a successful ESL Instructor , and Teacher trainer reflection has contributed a lot in that.Last but not the least, I would say reflect and excel.

I believe in the following 1) constantly updating my knowledge 2)know how to be relatable with students as the generation doesn’t remain the same

Planning: Adapt your teaching plans to reflect the needs of your learners. If they take longer to master a skill, consider increasing the number of lessons. Classroom Management: Create a dynamic and exciting classroom environment. Set clear and positive rules and routines, and discuss them openly with your students. Clarity of Instruction: Provide opportunities for learners to process new knowledge. Use differentiated questioning to cater to different understanding. Active Learning: Engage learners as active participants. Encourage curiosity and reflection on the relevance of learning to their lives beyond the classroom. Technology: Utilize the latest technologies to enhance learning experiences. Apps, games, and tools.

This is one key area to NEVER NEGLECT. This is because the classroom is never static, you will get to encounter different types of learners and it takes a really informed instructor to cater for the needs of learners with diverse needs and learning styles. Now, let me add that the aim of professional development is not to teach better per say, but to become a better person yourself in order to lead your learners effectively through the teaching-learning process.

One thing I've found helpful is attending conferences and events where I can connect with other educators and share best practices and strategies for success in the classroom as we continue to grow and learn.

Boosting my teaching isn't just about delivering lessons; it's about constantly evolving and learning alongside my students. Despite my extensive experience spanning nearly two decades, I'm always hungry for new knowledge and fresh perspectives. That's why I'm currently diving into two different courses, eager to explore innovative teaching methods and strategies. By immersing myself in ongoing professional development, I ensure that my teaching remains dynamic and impactful, empowering my students to thrive in an ever-changing world. Not to mention the networking capabilities that come from a community of teachers learning together.

I update my teaching materials by including more engaging activities in my lesson plans. Sometimes, it's not just the students who get bored – I find myself losing interest too. Using the same study material repeatedly tends to dull its appeal for me. I truly enjoy teaching when it challenges both my students and myself. To keep things fresh, I regularly experiment with new teaching methods and approaches to ensure that my classes remain interesting and stimulating.

Once I find out my teaching needs a boost, I deliberately invest in Studying more, consulting with industry actors in my field to align my thoughts on key concepts to conventional realities to sharpen my engagement skills and I also apply freshly acquired techniques/ strategies ( flip learning). Another key is building acceptable professional networks

One thing I've found that Continuous Professional Development is the best way to update your knowledge, skills and experience that helps to know about new teaching strategies and use of technology in the teaching profession.

I think like in any profession it is more important to stay relevant and up to date with current practices and skills that further advance delivering impactful and meaningful lessons to students. Most recently, I decided to take additional history classes to help build more in-depth content and historical perspectives for my students. I have found this additional investment extremely worthwhile in my teaching pedagogy.

Being a life long learner is the first step in making life long learners! People love to see what other people love! If you love learning, staying curious and growing as a human, it’s going to be a positive, contagious learning environment that enriches the lives of the students AND the adults in the room! Staying up to date on modern learning and youth trends is super important to keeping your teaching relevant, engaging and beneficial to the world.

Bringing something different in class can be refreshing and this can motivate the students. But it could be challenging too, how to do that. Read, interact and watch other experts more and more, and we can get multiple perspectives and ideas on methodology. It is not difficult. We just need to keep our receptors on and active.

As educators, we understand the importance of continuous learning and growth. Professional development offers a valuable framework for enhancing teaching effectiveness. By actively engaging in ongoing professional development, we not only stay abreast of current educational trends and methodologies but also gain fresh insights and innovative ideas to elevate our teaching practices. Embracing professional development enables us to remain adaptable in an ever-evolving educational landscape, equipping us with the tools to address diverse student needs and foster inclusive learning environments. Through collaboration with colleagues, attending workshops, pursuing advanced degrees, and leveraging digital resources, we expand our knowledge.

Avec ma collègue responsable du département d'espagnol, nous réalisons en français et en espagnol le festival du court métrage réalisé par les étudiants BBA internationaux et Master dont le thème varie chaque année. Cette année. C'est le 7ème festival. Nous avons commencé le premier en 2018 Michel VERNEUIL

Celebrate your achievements: Acknowledge and celebrate your wins, big or small. A positive mindset fuels motivation and inspires continued growth.

Celebrating achievements, both big and small, boosts morale, acknowledges progress, and fosters a positive teaching environment.

I have taught students my whole career. I have been human that whole time as well. To be honest, I’m sure there have been days/weeks of lessons that were lack luster due to my own insecurities, stresses and self doubt. Just YESTERDAY of me writing this post, I was in a special education meeting where the over worked instructional strategist nearly burst into tears claiming she is failing. We are so hard on teachers. If a doctor makes a mistake, it’s implied they did all they could to help. When a student is falling behind, we pile on the guilt? I wonder how our teaching lives and students learning would be impacted by teachers who supported each other & celebrated wins of all sizes regularly and often? Probably pretty good!

Celebrating ones achievements is a vital tool in boosting teaching as well as A motivation to keep doing ones best. Either small wins or Big wins, I never stop celebrating them.

Cuando algo no está funcionando en la enseñanza, es importante recordar quien es el centro del propósito, el alumno, y hay que ponerse en sus zapatos para ver que es lo que necesita para mejorar su aprendizaje, y así aplicar mejores técnicas didácticas que les facilite el aprendizaje, a veces lo más sencillo puede ser eso que necesita, en lugar de tecnicas muy sofisticadas.

Como docentes de escuela, a menudo sembramos sin ver directamente los resultados. Los frutos de nuestro arduo trabajo suelen tardar en manifestarse. Sin embargo, día a día en el aula, podemos observar pequeñas señales de crecimiento que a menudo pasan desapercibidas debido a nuestra tendencia a buscar resultados inmediatos y perfectos. Vivimos en una sociedad que parece funcionar bajo el principio de todo o nada. Los pequeños logros, incluso los más mínimos, no siempre son reconocidos como tales porque nuestra atención está centrada en lo más visible y en alcanzar expectativas de manera rápida, ignorando los pasos previos necesarios para alcanzarlos. Vivimos en un mundo en que debemos ser conscientes de nuestros logros para continuar.

In my experience, I have found that in celebrating your students’ achievements in your class as well as your own the excitement will flourish within your classroom. The more excited they are the more they want to be there… the more they are there, the more they learn and the more achievements they will gain!

When the school year is well underway and there are a lot of things taking place on a daily basis, sometimes educators can overthink and oversee things that are going well in their classroom. Overthinking can be taking a victory and analyzing it too much to the extent where you might begin to diminish the importance of it. Overseeing it can be focusing more on larger scale wins and not recognizing the small wins that take place. Reflecting internally and with a trusted colleague can allow you to take a step back and see it through a different perspective, thus giving you a time to recognize your and your students’ achievements.

Teaching in itself is a thankless, stressful and tiring job both mentally and physically, but when we think back to all that we achieve it definitely boosts ones confidence and allows for you to keep a positive mindset. I have found in my experience that to keep me positive I should always celebrate all my achievements whether big or small, it gives more meaning and value to the excellent work every teacher does everyday. Often we forget to pat ourselves on the back, it's a hard job but we are doing amazing things in that classroom without realising it.

A proper Feedback --- Deep Analysis ---- Roadmap to update self ---deliver the change---- gets a growth---- gets a success ----- that's final progress

Don't forget self-care: Prioritize your well-being. Schedule breaks, recharge outside of work, and engage in activities that bring you joy. A refreshed educator fosters a more positive learning environment.

Asking a professional and trusted colleague in your area to come and observe your class can in most cases help. It’s also good to ask him or her to review your syllabus and lesson plans for a constructive and practical feedback.

Ask your students! I love research, developing new content knowledge, and honing instructional practice. But ultimately we don’t teach subjects, we teach students. We have just as much to learn from them as they have to learn from us.

Another point that should be considered to boost your teaching is to draw connections between course material and its real-world application.This approach not only captivates students’ interest but also fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter. By integrating real-life examples that resonate with students’ experiences or current events, you can illuminate the relevance of academic concepts. 

I always advocate spending time observing other teachers as well as inviting them to observe you and provide feedback. Observation is key to how we learn when we first start teaching, but it's something many of us tend to shy away from as we get more experienced—maybe because we think we're too busy, we don't want to 'impose' on our colleagues, or because we get stuck in a rut of doing things a certain way. Watching other practitioners can be a tonic, and you'll always learn something new, even if it's what not to do :)

Transform the content into case studies. Use chat gpt for help. I rely on media and have a bucket full of cases. Whenever, I come across a story, a video clip it gets stored in a folder and I try to align it with the learning outcomes.

I firmly believe in the importance of continuously evaluating teaching methods to ensure they align with the needs of my students. Reflection plays a crucial role in understanding how to meet those needs effectively. Furthermore, staying ahead with continuous learning allows me to incorporate the latest innovations and insights into my teaching practice.

Consider using AI to generate case studies or scenarios to help provide realistic examples of different course concepts. Those examples can then be shared with students to help spark discussion.

I believe that more than what you teach it’s the way you teach that matters!! To boost your teaching skills starts with self reflection and identify areas you may want to get better at.. reflect on your energy.. understand the wants and learning styles of your students.. one size doesn’t fit all and each student is unique.. teach with an intention to serve not impose!!