Richard,
I think you are right on target. A practical process I use (loosely) is to break up my delivery every 20-30 minutes. So if lecturing, I'll change to discussion, then change to demonstration, then back to lecture, etc. The change ups help keep attention, reduces thinking fatigue, and invites participation.
Barry Westling
It's easy to forget that many students have different learning styles. It is important as an instructor to realize that while many students do well by hearing lectures, others may be more inclined to absorb information through visual means. I try to make sure to find a good mixture of audio and video teaching, as well as some tactile learning whenever possible.
Ed,
Role playing is a great example of the natural use of senses in learning. Senses are called into action without the specific awareness that different senses are being used. But in the end, the learning experience is enhanced. Pretty much, I think just about any hands on application just naturally requires more sensory involvement, as opposed to more static, passive instruction, such as sitting and listening to a lecture.
Barry Westling
Hands on activities can be very useful in this regard. In addition I tend to include different A/V materials (videos, etc.) into my lecture. Role-playing activities can also help. I have a learning style inventory that I give students sometimes to help them figure out what approachs might work best for them.
Ronald,
Pretty much, I think when students are participating, actively engaged, and interested in the topic through involvement, all needed senses will be functioning.
Barry Westling
Help recognizing student senses can be encouraged to actively use their senses to learn new things.
Stephen,
For me, I still use the flip chart (along with other delivery methods). I have some past pages that allow me to just bring out the page and display it. Of course, putting large poster paper around the room allows for great interactive group work or for teams, each working on a specific segment of a topic. Old school, coupled with newer technology makes for a great variety of delivery modes, which help keep attention and focus.
Barry Westling
I use You Tube relevant videos, and power point during lectures. I also have drawings assingmed to the students to help drive the connections further and hands on labs to really drive the lessons home.
Karen,
A lot of instructors fail to understand that just the daily process of providing interactive instruction usually stimulates most of the senses. If students are actively engaged they will be using senses in learning.
Barry Westling
Strategies for learning senses include, visual, hearing, touch. Visual includes materials such as powerpoints, touch can include hands-on activities such as with equipment they will use in their field. By applying different styles of learning in your classroom you can grasp each individual students learning needs as well as create a broader classroom forum for learning.
Chris,
Yeah, when students are engaged and participating, they are naturally using multiple senses.
Barry Westling
"active" learning where students must execute the learning that took place. I like the short lecture segments followed by active execution of what they just learned to help "cement" the learning.
Arnitra,
Good example. If allowed (by policy and patient permission), also palpating the area being auscultated gives yet another dynamic to this activity. It's true, more senses involved results in better retention of information and application in the job setting.
Barry Westling
In nursing, I have advised to my students that if they are listening to lung or heart sounds with their eyes closed...it forces them to use their listening skins during auscultation (listening).
Brittney,
I think that when students are actively involved in an activity, either alone or in a group, they are using multiple senses just through the natural process of interacting. Group activities can be a great way for students to retain needed course material.
Barry Westling
Painting a picture for students using two more senses for any learning moment will help increase the amount of information they will retain. Watching a specific scenario, then taking a hands on approach to apply what they have seen can also be beneficial.
Diana,
With planning I think we can achieve a classroom setting where students remain engaged the whole period. Variety is needed, but also upbeat, enthusiastic instructors. And when students feel their instructor cares about their success, they'll tend to give more of their attention and focus.
Barry Westling
One of my previous administrators challenged all instructors on campus to change our delivery every 7 minutes. Wow! In a 5 hours class period that is a lot of variety; however, it has become as fun for me the instructor as it has been for the students. I think we both feel more engaged; however, it does take work and planning.
Patricia,
Good example of using multiple senses in the delivery of course content. When students role-play, it requires use of multiple senses, and evidence suggests that when students teach others, they retain more information for longer periods of time.
Barry Westling
We use all methods of learning in my class. My favorite for student involvement is role-playing. Every student must participate and perform their "mini-play" in front of the other students. This is a great bonding exercise.
