Using different styles of media can help students learn by staying engaged.
Stephanie,
You're right, I think adding a visual almost always adds clarity, is more memorable, and contributes to better retention. And, students get a break from the lecture routine as well.
Barry Westling
I select media for content based on the subject in hand. I feel I can lecture for two hours and then follow through with a visual content, such as a video, and it may help my students confirm what they have just learned. They have heard me say it, then the have seen it in the media contect. Remember most american are visual learners so to follow throug with some type of visual, hopefully the content will be learned easier.
During a lecture portion of class, I try to rotate between Powerpoint, board drawing, question asking and humor. I feel that by constantly switching those methods, the students stay engaged.
Jason,
You're right and I agree, there is so much potential media available these days that we have to be careful instructors are not just choosing media because it's available but because it is the best method to convey a particular point, topic, or lesson.
Barry Westling
It depends on what I’m teaching. Often a PowerPoint can work, sometimes a video others write and on some occasions all 3 and more! My first step is to figure out the lesson then analyze its complexity, to answer 2 questions. Where can different media fit in? What is the benefit of the new media type? If the answer to the second question is not strong enough to justify, or it really has not long term value, no new media. One mistake in the current tech age is misuse of media. Sometimes PowerPoint is not what need is, and sometimes a video will not direct the class to the appropriate talking points.
Jon,
Great! Web pages, reseach in the library, short media clips (i.e. You-Tube), newspaper or magazine articles. Getting students to find information from these kind of resources helps get them involved in their own learning, and makes learning more fun, engaging, and memorable.
Barry Westling
Elizabeth,
Integtrating short You-Tube video's into or along with the PPT is great. I have found shorter video's work better. More than a minute or two starts to have students zone out. But adding them helps bring the focus and breaks the static of one slide after another.
Barry Westling
I like to use PowerPoint because it can be very well organized and the major points are clearly stated. There is no confusion on what are the important points that I what to get across.
Along with the PowerPoint, I find You Tube videos that pertain to what I am teaching and that grabs their attention.
I select it based on what I'm trying to get across to my students at that moment. In some cases, diagrams on a white board works effectively. Other times, an animation on a powerpoint helps get the point across more effectively. I am always on the hunt for news topics/articles and new cutting edge technology that directly applys to the field that they are trying to get into to keep things lively.
Michele,
Journals, newsletters and web pages do offer students the most current and up-to-date information, much more relevant than textbooks. But then textbooks are often a better resouce for fundamental theory that you almost never find on the the more cuirrent sites. So in reality, students benefit by both categories of resources.
Barry Westling
I agree as well, current news are very important especially in my profession. In the Surgical world there are updates almost on a daily basis. My funny slides are considered a brain break and greatly appreciated by my students.
Robert,
Last point very important. Even the best plans are useless if no one benefits. So getting continuous feedback about how the students are receiving the lesson material is vital.
Barry Westling
Nicholas,
Sure. The live chat can be of two formats, both mostly used in OL classes. The basic premise is the same in that students get an opportunity to dialog with their instructor in real time. One format has prepared questions by the instructor, who releases them over the course of say, an hour. After each question, students chime in via their OL delivery platform, and the instructor interacts with the students comments. The other, perhaps the preferred method, has the instructor with prepared questions, and students can hear their instructor speak and discuss the questions, with students chiming in and the instructor responding.
Barry Westling
I like to start with power points, discuss learning objectives, and then during the lecture stop periodically to do a demonstration or delve deeper into a particular aspect of the lesson via the white board or even utilizing the current power point such as an electrical diagram. After breaking the lesson, I can resume the power point or, if necessary, take students into the lab for hands on competencies.
While I like to use a lesson plan, I always give myself an out in the event that I see that my particular method isn't being effective or, if I feel I am losing the class thru boredom. I think a good instructor needs to be able to think quick on their feet so that they can keep the class viable and interesting for the students. Being locked into their lesson plan helps noone but the instructor if the students aren't getting anything from it because they have lost interest.
Could you elaborate on the "live chat?" Is it just a sort of interaction session with the class, or an open forum for questions? I'm wondering, because something like that might help fill a little time and not have the class seem so dry (or as dry as watching movies can be).
Nicholas,
I always enjoyed the "live chat" period I had created for my OL classes. I got to know my strudents and they were able to ask me questions that would have been hard to articuylate in the normal discussion forum.
Barry Westling
I teach a sound-for-film class. I show a number of movie clips and behind-the-scenes stuff. I use powerpoint to discuss the technical aspects of the work, but, other than those 2 things, I don't integrate anything else. There are times, predominantly when I take these online courses, that I think I'm either missing a great opportunity to relay information or not relaying information in effective enough or diverse enough methods.
Adonis,
Clarity with PPT is defintely a science all it's own. From formatting, to unneeded features, to how content is presented - all examples of what can make (or break) an opportunity to deliver important class information via PPT. I agree shorter, briefer slides, and intermittemnt breaks between longer sessions make PPT more useable and the information more memorable.
Barry Westling
I prefer the use of powerpoint with key points that deliver a clear & concise message. Humerous, but relevant cartoons also help keep the students entertained and engaged in the presentation.
