Hi Daniel:
Boy, there's nothing like an interesting story to keep student interest or to make a point. This is a great way to enhance using the PPT.
Regards, Barry
Hi Thomas:
One the best ways to determine if a student is getting the information is for you to have them explain it - to a classmate, to the class, to you, to someone. OFten, by their own observation, they'll find where their weak spots are. Also, this is one of the ways a student will learn best, when they have to teach it or discuss it with another.
Regards, Barry
Hi Fred:
Yeah - we're looking for the best way to impart the superior knowledge you have to the students in a manner they'll be able to relate to. It varies from class to class, and student to student. Your attempts to find that "just right" spot will pay off when your students start to get it.
Regards, Barry
I like to talk about my experiances in the field when useing the powerpoint . The students understand how the lecture can help them make money later. I enjoy teaching by example in lab, making complicated tasks look easy. I don't enjoy teaching if the students are bored,so you have to make the class fun yet educational.
Use of the whiteboard is quite helpful. I can put schematics and notes on the board, and then try to explain what they mean. Use of the Power Point is also successful. I can take a slide, and then embellish on it, giving students info that is not available in their books.
Unsuccessful methods also include Power Point. The PP presentation in Phase 17 is thoroughly confusing, and better results are achieved without it, with the exception of a handful of slides. In A/C class, I often hand out individual components as I talk about them. I often find that the students have no idea what it is they are looking at until we go out to lab and look at real A/C systems.
Hands on demo and written instructions I try to show the easiest way I have found to do a task and back it up with the written instructions with the most difficult task explained hopefully as well as the easiest. Using your written instruction observe how the students understand them and then make any correction to make them work best for the student.Lecture method sometimes lets you feel the student understands but when put them to actual work you may see something was lacking in there understanding of what you said.Why would be if the student really ask no questions and all you get is the nodding head from them you may feel you have done ok until you ask them to demo what you have just gone through.Lessons that do not really cover what the student is going to be tested on is a second method this is written but some times it is left up to the instructor to make sure he covers areas that are not fully covered in the written lesson. This is somewhat unfair to the student that may not be the good note taker.
Hi Tom:
Well, this post is designed to have you determine and reflect on what works best for you. We all have our methods we think work best. And we want to remember that students learn differnt ways as well, so I thing good instructors will venture out of their safe zone and use a variety of media, even if if that not their preferred mothod of delivery.
Regards, Barry
Hi Jerry:
Great! Using the variety of media you describe and then finding what works and what doesn't. Simple and effective.
Regards, Barry
Most:
I really am comfortable with the white board as a delivery method along with pass around training aids. The white board allows me to reveal only the information I want to concentrate on. Once this concept is proven as learned then I will advance.
Least:
Information that is computer based: CD, DVD, video or powerpoint may allow for more confusion or encourage distraction from one subject to the next as the information is being covered. I find myself spending more time holding focus on important subject matter.
I do like to use the white board to draw components to help get the point across to the students another way to deliver successful learning is while using the power point as a reference also use of a cut away or training aid that will get there attention and allow them to visually see what a component looks like internaly and it helps keep them alert as they are being passed around the classroom. Success can be acheived with any instructional delivery method you just need to find out which one works for that moment and have fun with it
Hi David:
Your interactive uses and combination of information on the PPTs along with the white board should help sytudents get the point you're trying make. It combines, visual, audible, and interactive elements, all tried and true methods that demonstrate student learning.
Regards, Barry
I like using power point. I can easily have pictures and diagrams illustrated and will sometimes use student handouts that they follow and fill in blanks or answer questions that apply to the diagram. I find if done correctly it keeps the students engaged. I also like using the white board to add to the presentations. It works very well when we are power flowing electrical diagrams. Our classrooms are set up to be able to shut off only the front lights to do away with the glare problem. While the students are in lab, I like to go up and question them on their process and steps they are in while diagnosing the faults. I will have them show me on the wiring diagram what type of problem (open, short, high resistance) and where and what readings did they get to justify there diagnosis.
The least effective way is just to lecture or have them just read over material.
Hi Errol:
Yeah, color can add a lot, or highlight diferences, or provide compare and contrast ideas.
One overlooked use of a flip chart is you can take time to put a carefully drawn image on the flip chat, then use over repeatedly. Of course, this technique can be duplicated by other means. But the idea of an object that you can center your discussion around sometimes proves quite helpful.
Regards, Barry
I like using the white board because I like making my point through drawings, you can really take advantage of color. I am also a fan of the Power Point presentation because of all the interesting methods of delivery available through the PP. My least favorite methods is the flip chart, it is cumbersome and hard to see if you are in the back of the class room. The over head projector is some what of a mess to work with if you have a lot of material to cover.
Hi Louis:
Great! I think most everyone like a story, so your PPT personal experiences ought to be a hit. If instructors can match personal experiences with tested and true hands on exercises that align with the practical world of the particular vocation, that's even better.
Regards, Barry
The two instructional delivery techniques I like to use is Power piont examples of personal experiences and using flow of the power point to keep intrest.
Second is giving examples of hands on experiences to hopefully have the student avoid some costly mistakes as new learners can
One device I dont like is question and answear sesssions some students are afraid to answear in fear of being made fun of.
Second is using power point word for word gets very dry and boring I add humor and examples with power point help as a guide.
Hi William:
I think you'd find that most people will share your sentiments.
Anytime you can involve or ingage your students, they're just going to learn and reatin information better. It's a basic principle related to how people learn.
Regards, Barry
Hi Timothy:
I agree that a class can be made more interesting by adding some pizazz, such as a bit of humor, or stories, or creative lessons, and the like.
There may be an element of entertainment involved, but the core purpose should the student learning outcomes - and these should be established at the beginning of a lesson. That way, an insrtuctor can measure how successful they were in reaching their students.
Regards, Barry
I find bullet point notes and student involvedreview projects work best for me.
things that dont work are extreamly long lectures with not much reinforcing projects.
humorous,students enjoy instructions when they feel that they are being taught in a freindly and non threating way.it makes it intersting for all.boring curriculum.we instructors are entertainers. we must make the class.we song and dance to the information that must be delivered.
