Blog Post 13 (Last One!): I want you to pretend you are a clinical instructor right now. What is one thing you would focus on to make yourself a great clinical instructor? What things are you able to do to make a great educational experience for students?
Have fun, be creative. I look forward to reading your answers.
One thing I would focus on as a clinical instructor to be a great instructor, is that I would teach my students all the tips I was taught that made clinic easier for me. Simple things like using the 204S on lower anteriors, positioning the patient’s chair semi-upright to see direct linguals on the mandibular teeth, and other tricks of the trade. I was actually just doing a teaching experience for the juniors in clinic and I got to share the tip about the chair position to one of the girls. It made me feel so good to have taught someone something, and something that is so valuable too. I remember all the instructors who taught me skills that I use today. I hope that hygiene girl will remember me and how my tip helped her from there on. I would also be an easy-going instructor. Sometimes teachers can come across as unapproachable and stern, I want the students to be able to discuss questions and topics with me. I was many times stressed because of the instructor I got in clinic (especially when taking an instrument competency) from their demeanor and would perform worse from being anxious around them. I want students to feel comfortable around me and think of me there as only to help not judge in a negative way.
One of the quotes from the article we read this week for class discussed want makes a great clinical instructor. I like what they wrote and I agree classroom learning and clinical learning are very different. “Instructors can have a potentially greater influence on dental and dental hygiene students’ learning in clinic than in classroom settings.”
Like the article say’s, clinical teachers have a different environment of educating their students. There is a close relationship and teamwork that must be in play while in clinic. I enjoy working with students and being on a team with other hygiene students. From the article I also agree that I would want to be an instructor that is a role model for students, enthusiastic, motivating, and fair.