As an instructor and instructional design, what are my superpowers?
“Everything is Awesome!”
I’d like to think my number one superpower is my “Everything is Awesome!” attitude. I try to keep a positive attitude despite the what’s happening around me.
I am committed to my students, there for them when they need help, and a good listener. I am often asked to “do you know technology X or software Y?” and I even though I often don’t know what they are talking about (it’s impossible to know all the new technologies), I never hesitate to try to solve their problems, and I have a surprisingly good success rate.
I use the flipped classroom approach to teaching, in part because it is a mandate from our program, but also, it encourages me to interact more with students, letting them ask the questions and work on problems in class, rather than the typical 3 hours of non-stop lectures every week.
I use my industry experience to teach students the “power” skills of project management like: teamwork, time management, customer relations, and troubleshooting.
From the list of 61 Ways You Know You Are Talking to an Instructional Designer the ones that best fit me are:
14. Backwards course design. (starting with Learning Outcomes)
39. Formative assessment.
43. Travel with pipe cleaners.
58. Busy, but makes time.
…and most importantly…
61. I love my work!
Featured Image: Emmet from THE LEGO® MOVIE 2™
December 7, 2020
Patrick through the course dealings with you, I would agree with your list. 61 says it all.
December 8, 2020
I like the sound of your overall teaching approach, Patrick. A constructivist, problem-based, and flipped learning environment must make for some great collaborative learning!
Regarding the flipped classroom approach – I know there are plenty of well-documented benefits to this learning approach, but have you found any particular negative trends with your students thus far?
December 12, 2020
Patrick, it sounds like you’re a super fun teacher. I would love to be in your class!
I’m only now just learning about the flipped classroom, and I love the idea. I’ve been guilty of doing long lectures… but I think I bring to it the same level of enthusiasm that you describe here, and I’ve been told they’re not absolutely terrible.
It’s great to hear about your one-on-one interactions with your students. I think this is both where the real learning happens… and the teacher/student relationship is built.
December 15, 2020
@Jonathan,
The flipped classroom takes a bit more work in preparing reading material in the form of notes or textbook(s). It can also take more work creating meaningful and relevant in-class activities for the students, but it has been my experience that it is worthwhile.
The downsides are that some students, inevitably, will not do the readings, come to class unprepared and be lost for the activities. I have yet to find a good solution to this. Perhaps, though, if it really important to the students (and by that I mean they feel out of place enough because they are the only students that don’t know what’s going on), they will study for next week’s class! (crossing fingers). 😛