Inviting Increased Learner Engagement to Promote Critical Thinking During Asynchronous Discussion Board Forums

Increasing student engagement and promoting critical thinking in asynchronous discussion board (Db) forums, requires a blend of thoughtful instructional design, facilitation strategies, and clear expectations. This is especially true for asynchronous teacher preparation courses whereby Db forums have the potential to be professional development for developing crucial pedagogical skills.  Novice teachers and teacher candidates alike will benefit from being intentionally invited to practice asking questions that invite further learner engagement.

...to be continued.  Thank you for your patience.

Effectual Teaching Experience: Accentuating the positive and mitigating the negative (August, 2024).

 

Let’s define experiential wisdom as the knowledge and insights gained through years of experience.  Can we reach consensus that experiential wisdom can be both a strength and a limitation in the teaching profession? This wisdom often reinforces familiar practices and approaches, which can create a sense of comfort and reliability for both teachers and students. However, it may not always lead to the most effective or efficient outcomes.

Yes, experiential wisdom can reinforce the familiar. Experienced teachers often rely on tried-and-true methods that have worked well in the past. This can create a consistent learning environment, which can be reassuring for students and help maintain classroom management.  Over time, teachers develop a nuanced understanding of student behavior, learning styles, and classroom dynamics. This insight helps them anticipate and address issues, tailoring their approach based on past experiences.  Experience allows teachers to make quick, intuitive decisions in the classroom. They can often sense when a lesson is going off track or when students are disengaged, and they know how to course-correct based on past experiences.

However, there are potential limitations, especially in relation to resisting new methods.  Teachers with a wealth of experience may be less open to experimenting with new teaching methods or technologies that could be more effective or efficient. They might prefer to stick with what they know works, even if it’s not the best approach for a particular group of students or a changing educational landscape.  Experienced teachers might default to familiar techniques that have worked in the past, even if those techniques aren’t necessarily the most effective for all students. For example, a teacher might rely on lecture-based instruction because it’s comfortable, even though more interactive or student-centered approaches might yield better learning outcomes.

Arguably, the benefit of experiential strengths compared to limitations is grounded in the pursuit of the balance between efficiency and effectiveness. Experienced teachers might prioritize efficiency, which means getting through the curriculum quickly or managing classroom time well, over effectiveness, which might involve more time-consuming but impactful teaching practices like personalized feedback, project-based learning, or formative assessment approaches.

The educational landscape is constantly evolving, with new research, tools, and methods always emerging. Experienced teachers might find it challenging to adapt to these changes, especially if they feel confident in their established practices. This can lead to a gap between current research-based best practices and what is being implemented within the classroom.

To optimize the balance between effectiveness and efficiency, it's crucial for experienced teachers to remain lifelong learners.  This promotes open-mindedness towards integrating new methods with their wealth of experiential knowledge. Professional development, collaboration with younger colleagues, and a willingness to experiment can help balance the comfort of the familiar with the potential benefits of innovative practices. Remaining a lifelong learner is crucial for educators to stay current, effective, and engaged in their profession. The following nine strategies are effective for educators to foster continuous learning:

 ·         Engage in professional development. Attend workshops, seminars, and conferences to learn about the latest trends, tools, and research in education. These events often provide practical strategies that can be implemented in the classroom. Participate in online courses, webinars, or Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on various educational topics. Platforms like Coursera and Khan Academy offer courses that can help educators stay updated with new teaching methods and technologies.

·         Join and participate in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). A PLC within your school or district provides opportunities to collaborate with colleagues, share best practices, and discuss challenges and solutions. Join online forums, social media groups, or educational networks like Edutopia or LinkedIn. This allows collaboration with educators from around the world, thereby sharing resources, ideas, and experiences.

·         Dive into reflective practices.  Keep a reflective journal to document your teaching experiences, challenges, and insights. Reflecting upon your practice helps identify areas for improvement and reinforces effective learning. Regularly assess your teaching methods and student outcomes by using feedback from students, peer observations, and self-evaluations to identify your strengths and areas for growth.

·         Stay informed with educational research. Subscribe to educational journals, blogs, and magazines. Reading research articles, case studies, and expert opinions helps you stay informed about the latest developments in education. Exploring books and podcasts on education facilitated by authors and expert speakers often provide in-depth analysis and practical tips that can enhance your teaching practice.

·         Experiment with new teaching strategies. Try new teaching methods, such as flipped classrooms, project-based learning, or gamification. Experimentation can lead to discovering more effective ways to engage students. Explore and integrate new educational technologies in the classroom. Tools like learning management systems (LMS), educational apps, and virtual reality can enhance learning experiences.

·         Pursue advanced degrees or certifications. Consider pursuing an advanced degree, such as a Graduate Program or Doctorate in Education, to deepen your expertise in a specific area of interest. Seek to obtain certifications in specialized areas like ESL, special education, or instructional technology. These credentials can expand your skill set and open new career opportunities.

·         Participate in mentorship and peer collaboration.  Serve as a mentor to less experienced teachers or seek out a mentor for yourself. Mentorship provides opportunities for both giving and receiving knowledge, fostering mutual growth. Minimally. Actively collaborate with colleagues on joint projects or team teaching. Working together allows you to learn from each other’s strengths and approaches.

·         Attend and present at educational conferences. Regularly attend conferences to network with peers, learn from keynote speakers, and participate in hands-on workshops. Presenting your own research or educational strategies at conferences is a powerful way to operationalize your understanding (Slife, Wright, and Yanchar, 2016), gain feedback, and contribute to the broader educational community.

·         Stay curious and open-minded.  Maintain a curious, growth mindset. Willingly exhibit an intentionally caring, optimistic, respectful, and trusting (ICORT) mindset. Be open to exploring new ideas, subjects, and disciplines outside of your usual focus. Cross-disciplinary knowledge can enrich your teaching. Engage with diverse cultures and perspectives. Understanding different cultural contexts can improve your ability to connect with students from various backgrounds.

Besides pursing life-long learning, educators need to maintain work-live balance and practice self-care. Practicing mindfulness, meditation, or other self-care techniques helps to manage stress and maintain a positive outlook. A balanced life supports effective learning and teaching. Prioritizing a healthy work-life balance is important to avoid burnout.  Lifelong learning is most effective when it’s sustainable over the long term. To summarize, lifelong learning, intentional invitations, mindfulness, and work-life balance benefits the educator and enhances the learning experiences of their students.

 

To Cite:

Anderson, C.J. (August 31, 2024) Effectual teaching experience: Accentuating the positive

and mitigating the negative. Retrieved from http://www.ucan-cja.blogspot.com/

 

References:

Anderson, C. J. (2021). Developing your students' emotional intelligence and philosophical  perspective begins with I-CORT. Journal of Invitational Theory and Practice, 27, 36-50.

Purkey, W. W., & Novak, J. M. (2015). Fundamentals of invitational education. (2^nd Ed) International Alliance for Invitational Education. Retrieved from: Fundamental of Invitational Education | IAIE

 Purkey, W. W., & Siegel, B. L. (2013). Becoming an invitational leader: A new approach to professional and personal success. Brumby Holdings ISBN: 9780893343712, 0893343714

 

Slife, B. D., Wright, C. D., & Yanchar, S. C. (2016). Using operational definitions in research: A best-practices approach. Journal of Mind and Behavior, 37(2), 119–139.