You’re a teacher in a new classroom. How can you adapt to your students’ needs?

There will always be one day when you will be new in a classroom irrespective of your experience. My first day as a teacher was in 1999 when I had to teach at a Nursery and Primary school. Even when I got to Woxsen, I had my first time. It can be both nervous and exciting, you should be able to manage both. I remember my first Brand Management class with the MBA students, one of the students asked whether I had any industrial experience as he would want to learn how what I was teaching worked out in real life. My experience with Xerox did not fail me as I delivered with much expertise. So, I knew that those students needed more practical knowledge rather than stories from the textbook and I had to adapt to their needs.

Um diagnóstico inicial, para alinhar as expectativas de aprendizagem com a proposta metodológica do componente curricular que será desenvolvido, pode ser uma estratégia bem sucedida para o início do curso.

Uno de los criterios mas importantes es el inicio de la accion formativa. Conforme la competencia del contenido que impartiremos planificamos dinamicas de interaccion como CONOCIENDONOS DESDE ADENTRO, la cual nos permitira conocerlos. Con las interacciones para conocer sus expectativas y describir los beneficios de estar en el aula, tambien podemos conocelos, y con la pregunta para conocer su nivel de conocimientos tambien.

Effective teaching starts with a deep understanding of the students. As a new educator, I believe prioritizing student needs and fostering a genuine connection is crucial for success in the classroom. When students feel understood and respected, they are more likely to be engaged and they tend to participate actively and are more receptive to learning.

As the fresh new face in this classroom, my first mission is to get to know all of you wonderful students. And no, I'm not talking about just memorizing your names and the color of your backpacks. I want to dive deep into what makes each of you tick! Are you a morning person or a night owl? Do you thrive on group projects or prefer to work solo? Are you secretly a math whiz disguised as a history buff? Knowing these quirks and qualities helps me tailor my teaching style to suit your unique personalities. Together, we'll make this classroom feel like a cozy hangout spot where everyone's quirks are celebrated!

Now that I've cracked the code on all your fabulous personalities, it's time to lay down some ground rules. But fear not, I'm not here to rain on anyone's parade. Think of these expectations as more of a friendly guide to help us navigate the wild waters of academia without crashing into too many icebergs. From homework deadlines to classroom conduct, clarity is key! I'll spell out exactly what I expect from you, and in return, you'll shower me with your brilliance and wit. Deal? Deal. And hey, if anyone decides to test the boundaries, just remember, I've got a secret weapon up my sleeve: the dreaded "dad joke" arsenal. Trust me, folks, you don't want to be on the receiving end of those!

Clearly defined rules, expectations and agreements make it easier to avoid misunderstandings or unnecessary conflict. Make sure these expectations are realistic and that there's enough info, structure, tools and etc for everyone to be able to meet such expectations.

Setting clear expectations is a fundamental aspect of effective teaching as it provides students with a framework for understanding what is required of them and how they can succeed. Involve students in the process of setting expectations by soliciting their input and feedback. Encourage them to contribute ideas for classroom norms, assignments, and assessment criteria. This help build a sense of ownership and accountability in their learning.

Recognizing and accommodating diverse learning styles is essential for effective teaching. By employing a range of instructional methods, activities, and assessments, educators can engage students more effectively and cater to their individual needs. Differentiating instruction through choices, scaffolding, and extensions further enhances the learning experience, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed and thrive.

Think, elaborate, prepare, test and reevaluate. If something goes right, improve. If something goes wrong, change it. There's no 100% flawless class that can actually fit everyone's needs, since we're dealing with people and their unique needs and ways.

More experient teachers and lecturers, people who know your students more than you do and people who can introduce you to new methods and materials. Always keep in touch with these kinds of people and make sure you're open to new ideas.

Feedback is important, but you should reflect on it before simply taking anything into account. The same goes for self-evaluation (which can be much more subjective). Still, try to find and organize data in order to reach some level of objectivity when looking for chances to improve.