Lara TookeyTeaching & Learning Symposium

24th Sept 2013

Overview

Why me? Who am I?

The Voice of the Student

» Nominated by FTBE Learning & Teaching committee – TBE’s top-rated lecturer on USU’s Rate My Course.

» Why?

» In summary, it’s about getting the basics right!

Industry (Construction) Education» 1987+» Quantity Surveying,

Project Management, Property Valuations, Facilities Management, Property Developer, Landlord

» 1991+» Master Maths» University of Cape Town» Singapore Institute of

Management» Glasgow Caledonian

University» Unitec Institute of

Technology

How I view ‘these people’.Students Learners» Defines a hierarchy &

status.

» Being at the mercy of a class, tutor, institution.

» Training & authority.

» Seek knowledge; solicit professional development & being open-minded.

» Participating in a class.

» Tutelage & aficionado.

Information Knowing

QuestionsAnalysis

Summary of what makes their learning enjoyable

Moments of wonder

Understanding of their world

Mutual trust & respect

A bit of humour

A lively environment Expertise

Clear goals Feedback Mentorship

»“She’s a bit scary.”

» “… all they said was that in your first lecture with us you were quite full on – different to the other lecturers, and not what they had expected. However, the student is full of praise for your enthusiasm and ‘go-gettem’ attitude that they find refreshing.”

A lively environment

A bit of humour

» “Engaging the students works well, keeps me attentive and helps me understand the course material better”.

» “…make boring subjects not so boring in the way it is taught!”

» “You are enthusiastic and yet laid-back. Your lecturing style is engaging and interactive. You “don’t just read from the slides!”. Your approach is relaxed “yet the tiger comes out when it needs to!”

A lively environment

A bit of humour

» The most critical element in creating a successful learning community is the mood of the class.

» Laughter is a key to keeping this mood light and productive.

» A dose of silliness goes a long way toward keeping learners engaged. They make the minutes tick by with less tedium, and hopefully maybe even some anticipation.

A bit of humour & a lively environment

Write an instruction for putting on a jacket.

» “… the bits I remember fondly are the bits I should not remember… but mostly I remember the bits that are not standard.”

» “… I like the way the information is presented… it makes me want to learn more.”

» “The course was excellent and I find it hard to believe just how much I learned about a subject that I thought I knew a lot about.”

Moments of wonder

» Are you inspired by what you are teaching?

» Does it make you want to go out and learn more?

» Instances of surprise and enlightenment, even if brief, can make all the difference in motivating a learner to question.

Moments of wonder

» “… engaging in conversation with Lara, walking around asking students if we need any assistance…”

» “I remember being borderline, it did not bring out the best in me….. The system is not a great fit for me.”

Understanding of their world

Scroll of doom

Nature of assessments

» “If a lecturer respects their students (by preparing well) students will ‘give back’ – they appreciate it very much.”

» “Why can Lara have well behaved students where all other lectures are disrupted. Lecturers should be brave enough to control disruptive students.”

» “You treat students as adults and this creates mutual respect.”

Mutual trust & respect

» If students don't trust that we as teachers are going to keep our word, treat them with decency, and give them the benefit of the doubt, then they will tune out everything else we try to communicate.

» It is also about being human!!

Mutual trust & respect

» “..I never liked anything that involved economics till she started teaching me. I loved the paper and am curious if I can do extra studies in it.”

» “.. the industry we are in, is exactly the way Lara teaches & in some ways this will or does prepare use for the real world. It is nice to have or experience a refreshingly different approach to teaching at Unitec.”

Expertise

» A genuine educator needs a reflexive, virtuoso mastery of the content, so they can then focus on the complicated business of information delivery.

» Your prowess should be evident and even taken for granted, so the learners can feel safe.

» Novices can know they won't be led astray or put to the mercy of someone bluffing through sessions in exchange for a paycheck.

Expertise

» “….. brings no doubt to what is expected in all assessments.”

» “I think the lecturer is trying to get us to think outside the box and explore…but with a paper like this I would rather get the basics right.”

» ‘..there is no ‘fluff’ from her which is such a refreshing change from the other lecturers.”

Clear goals

Structure and Direction

» “I love the tutorial time we had in class, it allowed me to clear up any questions I had. I think it is a brilliant way of learning.”

» “Your comprehensive feedback is exemplary.”

Feedback

» Authentic feedback is perhaps the most difficult thing to give and, therefore, the rarest dynamic in learning.

» Authentic feedback takes time.

» Authentic feedback is one-to-one, honest, actionable input about what went well, what didn't, and what steps can be taken to go forward.

Feedback

» “… you have taken one of my weakest subjects and made it one of the best …”

» “Just want to give you an update… thought of your wise words as I sat up to 1 or 2 in the morning….. That class was total preparation.”

» “Thanks for the discussion today, you were a great help and very inspiring in fact.”

Mentorship

» Mentorship means partnership.

» A mentor's role is one part confidante and another part older sibling.

» It involves the sharing of wisdom and the patience of listening.

Mentorship

» Think about the positive. Use this to enhance what you do, not the negative.

» Do what works for you.

» Enjoy what you do.

Something to take away….

Thank you.