As an educator, it’s important to request observations to improve your teaching even if students tell you that you are the perfect educator. Of course, if you are told you are “perfect” then you would already be doing this anyway. This is an of example why it is important.
I am currently in a 3-day course, a course that I took because it would help me on my job and because I have heard that the trainer’s techniques in delivering the content is perfect. I am about to embark in providing out trainers with training observations so I want to refresh my observation skills by seeing what areas of improvement I could find. Of course was not going to give him this feedback because it was neither asked for nor was it offered. It was only for my own benefit. I did find these elements that would certainly improve course outcomes by
- Creating a safe learning environment,
- Creating an even better teacher-trainer relationship, and
- Enhancing student focus, retention, and motivation.
The trainer did not address anyone by name so there was very little personal connection. Even though he tried to make connections in other ways, these other ways would not succeed because there was no attempt to use names therefore demonstrating there was no interest in building connections or relationships with any students.
Buy “other ways” mentioned above, he used what little he knew about each student to tease them throughout the class. He would also state directly, “I don’t like you.” Or, “Don’t you point a figure at me and accuse me of making a mistake.” He’s got a military background and the students are tradespeople so we all should have thick skin and be able to take this. It was also, apparently, said tongue in cheek, but without building a connection with us by at least using names this is hard to take and it became apparent later in the course. There was some disengagement.
There was no mention of how we were to be assessed. Students must know what they need to pass the course and how they can achieve that. Is it just for attendance? Is it attendance and participation, or does it include a written and/or a practical? No idea.
I can add that there was no territorial acknowledgement, which is required by our company, but this didn’t hamper learning or impact learning outcomes in any way so it doesn’t reflect his teaching effectiveness.
Again, it was an excellent course and 7.5 hours went by very quickly. I have learned a lot and I can apply much of it immediately, so as trainers go he is excellent but there is always room for improvement.
HKKS Education 