- Reflect on your current teaching practices: What is working well? What could be improved? What are your students’ feedback?
- Identify your goals for change: What do you want to achieve by changing your teaching practices? Do you want to make your lectures more engaging? Do you want to provide students with more feedback? Do you want to create a more inclusive learning environment?
- Develop a plan for change: Once you know what you want to achieve, develop a plan for how you are going to achieve it. This plan should include specific goals, timelines, and resources that you will need.
- Implement your plan and seek feedback: Once you have a plan in place, start implementing it. As you implement your plan, seek feedback from students and colleagues. This feedback will help you to identify what is working well and what needs to be improved.
- Be patient and persistent: Changing your teaching practices takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep at it and you will eventually see the changes that you want.
A professor can make to your teaching practices:
- Use more active learning strategies: Instead of simply lecturing to students, try using more active learning strategies, such as group work, problem-solving exercises, and role-playing activities. This will help students to learn more effectively and efficiently.
- Provide more feedback to students: Feedback is essential for student learning. Try to provide students with regular feedback on their assignments and performance. This feedback will help students to identify their strengths and weaknesses and to improve their learning.
- Create a more inclusive learning environment: Be mindful of different learning styles and needs. Make accommodations for students with disabilities. Be inclusive of all cultures, perspectives, and identities.
- Use technology to enhance your teaching: There are a number of educational technology tools that can be used to enhance teaching and learning. For example, you can use learning management systems (LMSs) to post lectures, assignments, and other resources. You can also use video conferencing platforms to host live classes and discussions.
By following these tips, you can change yourself as a college professor and improve your teaching practices. This will benefit you and your students.
