As a professor, you constantly look for ways to improve your teaching skills. But did you know that there are tools out there that can help you become even better in the classroom? This post will discuss 10 tools to help you become a stronger professor.
These tools include everything from online courses to visualization tools. So, whether you are just starting as a professor or you have been teaching for years, these tools will help you improve your skills!
1. Online Courses
There are several online courses available that can help you improve your teaching skills. These courses cover topics such as classroom management, effective teaching methods, and using technology in the classroom. Taking an online course is a great way to learn new techniques and strategies you can use in your classroom.
Additionally, online courses offer the flexibility to complete them at your own pace and schedule. Also, many online courses offer certificates of completion that you can add to your CV. Therefore, taking an online course is a great way to improve your teaching skills and make yourself more marketable as a professor.
2. Professional Development Workshops
Another great way to improve your teaching skills is by attending professional development workshops. These workshops are typically offered by universities or organizations that focus on education.
At these workshops, you will have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field of education. Additionally, you will be able to network with other professors and discuss issues that you are having in your classroom.
Attending a professional development workshop is a great way to get new ideas and strategies for improving your teaching skills. This is especially true if you are struggling with a particular issue in your classroom.
3. Educational Technology Tools
There are many different technology tools that you can use to improve your teaching skills. These tools can help you with everything from creating better presentations to organizing your classroom. Using technology in the classroom can engage your students and make learning more fun! Some great educational technology tools include:
Prezi: Prezi is a great tool for creating dynamic presentations. Unlike PowerPoint, which uses linear slides, Prezi allows you to create non-linear presentations. This means you can zoom in and out of different parts of your presentation, making it more interactive and engaging for your students.
ClassroomDojo: ClassroomDojo is a great tool for managing your classroom. With it, you can create positive behaviour charts, award points to students for good behaviour, and send parents updates on their child’s progress.
Graphical abstract creator – A graphical creator is an excellent tool for creating visuals for your presentations. Graphical abstracts can help your students understand complex concepts by breaking them down into simple visuals. Additionally, they can make your presentations more visually appealing, engaging your students even more.
4. Classroom Management Resources
Several different classroom management resources are available to help you improve your teaching skills. These resources can provide tips and strategies for managing your classroom effectively. Additionally, there are many online tools and apps that you can use to help you with everything from creating lesson plans to grading student work.
For example, Lessonplanet.com is a great website that provides educators with lesson plans and resources. Another great classroom management resource is Schoology, an online learning platform that you can use to create and deliver your lessons and assess student understanding.
5. Teacher Resources
Several teacher resources are available to help you improve your teaching skills. These resources can provide tips, strategies, and best practices for teaching. There are many online tools and apps that you can use to help you with everything from creating lesson plans to grading student work.
For example, the website TeachThought.com is a great resource for teachers that provides articles, blog posts, and infographics on various teaching topics. Another great teacher resource is the website Edutopia.org, which provides educators with resources, tools, and best practices for teaching.
6. Professional Learning Communities
A professional learning community (PLC) is a group of educators who meet regularly to discuss education-related issues. PLCs provide an excellent opportunity for you to network with other professors and get new ideas and strategies for improving your teaching skills. Additionally, PLCs can help you stay up-to-date on new educational research and developments.
7. Educational Books and Journals
There are several different books and journals available that can help you improve your teaching skills. These resources can provide you with new ideas and strategies for teaching effectively. Also, reading educational books and journals can help you stay up-to-date on new research and developments in education.
8. Teacher Blogs
There are several different teacher blogs available that can help you improve your teaching skills. These blogs provide educators with tips, strategies, and best practices for teaching. Additionally, they can help you stay up-to-date on new research and developments in education.
Some of the best teacher blogs include TeachThought.com, Edutopia.org, and TheTeacherToolkit.co.uk.
9. Lesson Planning Tools
There are many different lesson planning tools available online. These tools can help you plan and organize your lessons more effectively. Additionally, many of these tools offer features such as templates and calendars.
Using a lesson planning tool can help you save time when planning your lessons. Moreover, a lesson planning tool can help ensure that your lessons are well-organized and aligned with your course goals.
10. Student Engagement Tools
There are several different student engagement tools available that can help you in the classroom. These tools include everything from games to discussion boards. Using student engagement tools can help make your lessons more interactive and engaging.
Using these tools can help you save time by allowing you to reuse materials. For example, using a discussion board can help you facilitate group discussions without preparing new materials each time.
Conclusion
Several different tools and resources are available to help you become a better professor. These resources can provide tips, strategies, and best practices for teaching effectively. Additionally, online tools and apps can help you with everything from creating lesson plans to grading student work. Utilizing these resources can help you improve your teaching skills and better engage your students in learning.
Also, read:Â 5 Ways to Promote Engagement and Active Learning in Classes
