The Core Assumptions of Skillful Teaching, Stephen D. Brookflield.

I've said it before and shall say it again, I really am enjoying reading Stephen D. Brookfields The Skillful Teacher (2015). In general this book has made me realize I'm not alone with certain struggles that instructors face regularly. I really enjoy the way the author injects so many personal accounts, it creates such a relation to the real practice of instruction. Definitely not a dry, dull textbook for sure!

Chapter Two: The Core Assumptions of Skillful Teaching (Brookfield,2015,p.15) is packed full of food for thought as one reads the four assumptions. Personally I find the assumptions to be good guidelines to best instructional practices. But they really are just that, general guidelines that may or may not work for all students and/or situations. A teaching technique or activity that works for one student could completely confuse or upset an other. But again the assumptions provide a excellent framework for good instructional practices.

My favorite of the four assumptions was number three. "Teachers Need a Constant Awareness of How Students Are Experiencing Their Learning and Perceiving Teachers' Actions",(p.22). I couldn't agree with this more and truly wish all instructors would take the time and effort to be in-tuned with their learners. If an instructor is aware of their students experiences and struggles they can truly do their best to improve their instruction and focus in on the needs of each student. More then that an overall ability to "read the room" or "know your crowd" is an essential element in the classroom. If you are aware and present with your students you should be able to intuitively see what isn't working or needs to change right there in the moment. In example, an early morning class on a dark rainy day. Your students are half asleep and not engaged. Do you continue with your lesson as planned? You know you have what you think is a great day planned. However, if your students are not truly with you there is little chance they will absorb or fully comprehend what you are about to present.  I would detect this overall sense of sleepiness in the room and pull out a trick. Perhaps and icebreaker or game. Maybe some group work activities that gets the students up and moving around, naturally keeping it related to the course. You get the picture? As instructors we have to be so unbelievably adaptable, at any moment circumstances can change right in your room.

All in all the assumptions are very true, the ideal guideline to keeping our instruction authentic and of value to our students. However nothing is written in stone and all rules can be broken.  I really suggest all of you instructors out there grab a copy of this book. I truly have enjoyed it and find it valuable.

                                                               References

Brookfield, S. (2015). The skillful teacher: on technique, trust, and responsiveness in the classroom (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers

The 5 principles of highly effective teachers: Pierre Pirard at TEDxGhent

A former CEO turned teacher.  In his presentation Pierre Pirard first outlines the similarities between being a CEO and a teacher. Leadership  came across as one of the most important commonalities to me. I enjoyed and agree with the principles of highly effective teachers he outlined in his talk. My favorite was the notion "if you make sure your students know that you believe in them and their abilities they will soon believe it too". So very true in my opinion. Watch  and share what you get out of this TEDTalk.

Do Schools Kill Creativity? | Sir Ken Robinson | TED Talks

Okay just one more Sir Ken Robinson TED Talk. As a creative person who happens to be an instructor students that tend to be creative I just love this talk! Do you think schools kill creativity? I sadly have to say that many aspects of them do. Please watch an share your thoughts!#3260

Ken Robinson: How to escape education's death valley

Sir Ken Robinson is one of my favorite educational gurus. While reading Stephen D. Brookfields The Skillful Teacher for the PIDP 3260 course I kept thinking about various TED Talks I've watched by Ken. He has an incredible philosophy about education, what is important in education, and what we need to change. Learners are diverse, shouldn't education be the same?

School of Instructor Education at Vancouver Community College

School of Instructor Education at Vancouver Community College

Presently I'm enrolled in the School of Instructor Education at Vancouver Community College. It is an amazing program that focuses on the various competencies required to be an excellent educator of adults. I highly recommend this program to anyone who teaches. I have learned so many valuable skills and techniques for my career as an instructor. Take some time to learn more about the program on the website: http://www.vcc.ca/programscourses/program-areas/program-highlights/sie/?utm_source=website-redirect&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=deptSite

Also follow the School of Instructor Education Facebook page, it is a active community full of resources. It is a valuable tool used my students and faculty alike.
https://www.facebook.com/VCCSchoolOfInstructorEducation?fref=nf

Classmate Blogs for PID 3260 Professional Practice

As part of the 3260 Professional Practice  Course one of our assignments is to create a blog, a educational journal of sorts. It is a great way to share what you have learned as well as create an archive of your educational journey through the Provincial Instructors Diploma Program. Below are links to the blogs of fellow classmates, I thoroughly enjoyed reading their blogs. Sharing and collaborating is an immensely valuable tool. .https://mikaelvolke.wordpress.com/

https://pidp3206professionalpractice.wordpress.com/

https://debralynn73.wordpress.com/

http://audraspielman.weebly.com/pidp-3260---professional-practice.html

https://chiefengagementofficer.wordpress.com/

Christopher Emdin: Teach teachers how to create magic

While reading the Skillful Teacher by Stephen D. Brookfield I was grabbed by statement he referred to as one of the "important truths" of teaching.  Brookfield (2015) states, "I will always feel like an impostor and will never lose the sense of amazement I feel when people treat me as if I have something valuable to offer", (p.9). When I read this I instantly thought to myself. This is exactly how often feel after a really good afternoon in the classroom. I believe a good teacher should be engaging, demonstrate the relevance of the course material, and deliver their lessons in a student centered manor. Basically, as educators are required to be wizards of the educational realm. It is essential we create magic in the four walls of our classrooms. While watching my daily dose of Ted Talks, I stumbled across this thought provoking talk from Christopher Emdin. He to believes teachers must learn to create magic. A magical experience in the classroom almost always creates valuable lessons that make a lasting impression with learners.

The Skillful Teacher by Stephen D. Brookfield

Have you ever loved a required text for a course? I have to be honest many times I find myself disengaged and dreading some of the books I've been required to read over the years. Currently I'm a few chapters in to The Skillful Teacher by Stephen D. Brookfield. It is a required text for the 3260 Professional Practise course I"m taking at VCC. I have read a lot of books during this program and this is by far my favorite. I really enjoy the authors usage of personal account is teaching. I highly recommend this book to anyone that teaches. Below is a link and description of the third and current edition of this great book. http://ca.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1118450299.html

Just starting PID 3260 Professional Practice

Hello! I am Gary Franceschini!  I instruct Hair Design at the Vancouver Community College (VCC) downtown campus.  As well recognized hair industry professional with twenty four years experience it inspired me to starting sharing my talents, techniques and passion! I wanted to share with aspiring individuals that desire work in my industry.  My six year instruction tenure with VCC has been amazing!  Now I am giving back to the beauty industry and engaging new talent to get out there and make a name for themselves.

In addition to teaching, staying industry relevant by working in a salon I also have time to enjoy many hobbies, passions, and interests. I am very active with animal rescue, particularly with that of unwanted exotic birds. Another hobby is interior design and decorating for a variety of holidays, especially Christmas. My talent for seasonal decorating has developed into a small business offering professional Christmas tree decorating.  This new endeavor's true reward is the joy and happiness it brings to my clients.

Naturally, education is a huge interest of mine!  Once my Provincial Instructors Diploma Program (PIDP) is complete, I will target my next goal to achieve a Masters in Education (M. Ed.) with Simon Fraser University for the April intake.

I am returning to my blog after a gorgeous summer which has keep me away since April.  I am now nearing the end of my of PIDP courses. 3260 looks like a great course, one that will pull from all the other PIDP courses and bring it all together. So far, I am in love with the textbook and will post about it later. I am confident that 3260 will help me reflect and strengthen my personal teaching philosophy.

I look forward to interacting with my classmates and instructor online in the coming weeks. Good luck with the course everyone!