“I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.” — Socrates
Reliability engineers, FMEA team leaders, and other quality and reliability professionals are often called upon to teach the principles of reliability or FMEA. If you want to convey knowledge to another person, you are teaching. If you want to learn from another person who is teaching, you will benefit from learning these principles.
What is effective teaching?
Effective teaching results in the target knowledge and skills being conveyed to the student, with each student having a working knowledge of the content, and able to apply the subject matter successfully. You have successfully taught a subject when students understand the material and have attained the ability to apply the skills for the subject being taught.
What is NOT effective teaching?
Effective teaching is NOT simply presenting the course material or merely telling the student(s) what to do. You have not taught a subject merely because you completed the slides from the course material.
Primary principles for effective teaching?
The following are key principles that should be understood and applied in all teaching. This is not an exhaustive list, but encompasses important elements for effective teaching. Learned well and practiced consistently, the results are truly amazing.
1. Understanding: The instructor demonstrates a solid understanding of fundamentals, speaks directly to students (not reading slides). There are no shortcuts to achieving teaching excellence.
In this first principle, anyone who wishes to be an excellent teacher should study and learn the material they are teaching from multiple sources, and be able to teach for the anticipated application.
2. Connection: The instructor maintains a genuine connection with each of the students.
Making a positive connection with students builds trust and increases the likelihood that they will listen to what you are teaching and share their misgivings and confusions, which is part of the learning process.
3. Attention: The instructor keeps each student’s attention on the course material, and minimizes distractions.
Getting and keeping the attention of your students will enable the opportunity for learning to occur. Using proven strategies to minimize distractions and focus attention is essential to transferring knowledge.
4. Questioning: The instructor frequently asks questions of students, and uses questioning to stimulate discussion.
One of the core tenets of good teaching is to use questioning to augment learning, and this skill can be practiced and learned. Similarly, when communicating with another or others, asking questions is a way to learn and build stronger relationships. How you ask a question, conveys interest in the topic or person and the honest desire to learn. Asking questions is also a way to transfer knowledge, which, after all, is one of our primary objectives.
5. Interest: The instructor uses personal interest and passion to help convey the training material. Showing genuine interest in your subject and your students enhances learning.
Sharing your personal passion about the subject you are teaching, in a real and meaningful way, also enhances learning. Interest and passion can be practiced and integrated into your teaching. The result will be a message that is more likely to reach people and gain acceptance.
6. Stories: The instructor uses stories and personal experiences to deepen learning. Personal stories are one of the best ways to reach your students and convey principles. You don’t have to be a
great storyteller to share your personal experiences, and enhance the learning experience. Find and practice selected stories to support your most important teaching messages. Always end a story by restating the principle you are teaching.
7. Clarity: The instructor speaks clearly and confidently, with sufficient volume so that every student can hear and understand.
You may have the best message in the world. But, if you don’t speak clearly and with the right volume, your message will not be heard or understood. This takes practice, and is worth the effort.
8. Pace: The instructor keeps the class moving efficiently through the course material at a good teaching pace (but doesn’t skimp on FMEA fundamentals).
Maintaining the right pace of teaching, not too fast or too slow, can enhance learning and help ensure each student understands the concepts and principles of the course.
9. Feedback: The instructor provides meaningful answers to student questions, and positive critiques and feedback to student’s exercises.
One of the keys to effective teaching is to provide a safe space for learning and allow the student to make mistakes. Learning occurs when the student discovers what they are doing that can be improved, and understands the principles behind the mistake. Constructive feedback is an essential part of the learning process.
10. Application: The instructor reads student body language, ensuring every student fully understands and demonstrates their ability to apply the material.
It is a personal decision of each instructor, as to the level of commitment to students. There is great joy in being able to share your knowledge with others, either one-on-one or in front of a class of students. The best results from teaching include the ability to apply the material in the real world.
11. Prepare: Like any task in life, it is essential that instructors prepare well for each course being taught. Teaching is a wonderful calling.
To be successful when teaching any course, it is essential to convey knowledge to the students in a meaningful way. This requires active preparation, including learning about your student audience, practicing your course material so you are not reading slides, mastering the timing of the course, and balancing theory with engaging and practical exercises.
Lifelong Learning
No one is a perfect teacher. You can get better and better in sharing your knowledge with others. It’s an adventure and more than worth the effort. Study these principles and apply them to your job or personal life, and share your observations and questions with us.
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