Annie,
Great! More senses lead to more retention of information, and in your case, memorable experiences.
Barry Westling
Demo's!! The students get to see how it is done, I/we talk about what I am doing and why I am doing it that way, what they are smelling and taste the product(s). Also having one or two of the students help durning the demo helps get the senses, questions and comments going.
Patricia,
Yep! Variety does keep classes more interesting. Sometimes even routine activities can involves multiple sense, For instance, taking notes. First the student listens, then writes imortant keynotes, then rewrites notes, then reads the notes into a recorder, than plays the tape back as they review the notes, then types a summary, then questions other students, then teaches other students. Writing all this makes it seem like a long and impractical experience, but I have seen extrodianary success with this method. Repitition is the key to retention.
Barry Westling
We should strive to give our students a variety of learning methods so that we can be a positive input for all the student population. Sometimes if we are deprived of using one or two senses, we develop a new appreciation for them! Makes a fun activity in class sometimes, to break the monotony!
Mary,
Getting students accustomed to being sensitive to the natural world around them and the learning that can occur from this awareness is quite helpful in providing a more comprehensive learning experience.
Barry Westling
for example writting an SA or maybe Power Point Presentation on what in their everyday lives, connects to what they are learning and how it will apply to their everyday world, I really like that Idea I will put it to good use in my classroom.
Kelsey,
Boy I know how "informational" animal dissections can be, so I can image the great tactile, auditory, visual, and kinesthetic experiences your student must recieve working live animals. Those sensations translate into memorable, life time sensations they probably will remember all their careers.
Barry Westling
In my veterinary assisting class I am lucky enough to have my student practice on live animals. So we use sight and listening during the power point lecture. Then to reinforce those concepts we actually perform exercises using touch and odor so the students can detect what is normal and abnormal.
Mary,
Often, what a student does while not at the computer gives valuable experiences. Depending on the topic, the student can engage a mutitude of activities they experience, and write about them when online.
Barry Westling
What is a good way to apply the sences when teaching computer programs to students such as online courses to make it more intresting and engaging
Gayle,
Yes, and the more senses we can involve the better. I guess that means the more variety the better our classes will be.
Barry Westling
Using different strategies using different senses is important because not all students learn the same way. Some students are more visual while others need to use hands on. By using different methods you are able to reach more of the students.
James,
Senses can be trained to be more aware of the learning process. By adding variety to the delivery, varied activities, and allowing students to "experience" the learning environment, senses will just naturally become a greater component to the students learning.
Barry Westling
It is important to make the student realize what type learner that they are and they can use this to help there learning. We can incorporate the different senses in to the lesson
Ben,
It would seem that the culinary specialty would lend itself particulary well to senses. Touch (hot and cold, texture), visual (creamy, lumpy, over/under cooked), etc. Actually, many of these senses could be applied to other classes as well. Sensory stimulation, although mostly cognitive and visual, is a primary way students lean. Kinethetic activities, along with teaching others and problem solving (critical thinking) also contribute greatly to students effectiveness, both in class, and as graduates in the workforce.
Barry Westling
For culinary instructors it's easy to get students engaged in the learning process by appealing to their senses. My class begins with a demonstration of the dishes students will be preparing that day. As they enter the classroom they can smell the foods cooking. During demonstration they are encouraged to taste the foods throughout the process so they can see and taste the flavors developing. Watching the demonstration in real time allows them to have a sense for the timing of the dish. And finally, when the dish is plated before them, there's a clear communication of what is expected of them.
Kisha,
Sure, being there, doing demonstrations and practical applications most usually produces stimulation of mutiple senses, and of course, this contributes to better retention. Anything kinesthetic will be remembered because of mutiple senses are involved.
Barry Westling
In the field of nursing at the foundational level there is opportunity to utilize the senses when it comes to feeding patients. Allowing the students to experience what is like to feed others as well as be fed will assist them in how they render care and accomplish these tasks at the bedside.
Ruth,
Great example! Wouldn't it be nice to be able to something as "fun and social" like this every day? Maybe if we put on our creative thinking caps, teachers could conjure up a laundry list of busy activities that stimulate the senses, and the students thinking, retention, and job readiness.
Barry Westling
I teach a 5 hour class twice per week. I make sure that there is some kind of hands-on activity every hour, so that lecture and discussion are always balanced by participation. The course I teach focusses on soft skills, and I added a "mock business reception" this term, complete with snacks and a punch bowl, where students are expected to circulate, introduce themselves to others, shake hands and exchange business cards, with soft music in the background. This activity involves all the senses in an enjoyable way. The students seemed to appreciate it, and seemed more receptive to my instruction afterwards.
