Nikki Dunsire

As an educator and artist, I consider flexibility, open-mindedness, adaptability, accountability, communication and compassion to be essential qualities for instructors. It is crucial for educators to avoid becoming rigid in their teaching styles and methodologies, as our student population, much like the technology they are learning, is constantly evolving. Each student brings a unique perspective to the classroom, and not all students learn in the same way. It is our responsibility to identify techniques that work for a specific group at a given time and make necessary adjustments.

 

To ensure students establish a solid foundation for a given topic, I provide tutorialized slide decks, lecture notes and videos to every student in each of my classes. This approach allows them to focus on absorbing the content without the pressure of memorizing or jotting down every detail in real-time. I encourage students to bring supplied content with them each time we meet and add additional notations as needed. During lectures, I walk them through key concepts, demonstrate processes, and provide opportunities for hands-on practice and questions. Throughout my teaching career, I have realized the importance and benefits of providing comprehensive learning materials. They assist visual and auditory learners by allowing them to watch demonstrations without the need to juggle notetaking, and they provide tactile learners with step-by-step instructions for implementing hands-on tasks in their projects. This practice has proven to be highly effective for students with various learning styles.

 

In addition to providing comprehensive notes, it is equally important to create an enjoyable and memorable learning environment. I often employ game-driven evaluations, such as collaborative quizzes, where students work together in groups to find answers, are provided lifelines when they face challenges, and are encouraged to support and motivate each other. I also incorporate storytelling and real-world examples relevant to the material. These methods have proven successful in helping students retain challenging information by relating it to their experiences in class or the stories connected to it.

 

I foster strong communication skills with my students, especially when they encounter difficulties with the content. I hold them accountable for their work and encourage them to approach their studies in a professional manner. I emphasize creative problem-solving and provide them with resources and guidance to seek answers to complex questions, in addition to serving as a resource myself. This approach helps students develop problem-solving skills that they will utilize in their professional careers. I believe it is essential to allow students to learn from their unsuccessful moments rather than simply granting them a pass. This prepares them for the realities of their future professions and life in general. While I strive to guide students toward a path of success before they reach the point of learning the “harder way”, there are instances where best efforts may not succeed, and learning accountability becomes invaluable, especially as they transition into the industry. I do this with compassion and support, which I think is equally important.

 

Above all, I am an advocate for every student who enters my classroom. I believe that as instructors, we are more than just disseminators of information. We serve as mentors, parental figures for some, and a source of encouragement and support, even offering a shoulder to lean on during challenging times. It is our responsibility to ensure that every student has the necessary resources and opportunities for success throughout their educational journey. I take every possible measure to create a safe and inclusive classroom environment and am not afraid to address topics of equity and inclusion.