Hi Adam:
Good use of questioning. Some instructors have to watch for the same students always answering or the "know it all" will pop out an answer before anyone else has a chance. To avoid that, I always ask a student by name, "Bill can you tell me....etc". That way, only Bill will likely respond. If Bill doesn't know, then I;ll as another by name. Its ythe only way know to keep Einstein quiet.
Regards, Barry
Hi Jerry:
I like that you are working with your students to determine where they're at in their learning. Not all instructors are willing to spend too much time in this area. The benefits are self evident.
Regards, Barry
What I do is ask a couple of questions at the beginning of class to try to figure out the knowledge base of the class. What I do then is use the knowledge of the students who know the material help me in a discussion with the rest of the class to bring everyone up to speed on what everyone needs to be successful. It can also be used as a refresher for the students who are already familiar with the material.
When teaching a more advanced course i will always cover the basics and question answer /technquie to see where their levels are at. By starting with very basic questions that can lead increasing levels of diffuculty in the same area can help get more involement from the less expierenced to the high achievers. When getting groups together getting a mix of these categories together can help both acheive success with out being bored
Hi Thomas:
Good students can often convey the essential information in a shorthand "student-speak" way that is helpful to the weaker student. Identifying which students are good at this mentoring chore should not be too hard to spot.
Regards, Barry
One way I try is to use the more advanced student as a helper for the other student.The student that may not have alot of experience now may be the one that is exceptial when he gets a greater understanding of his field .One problem in our training time is that it is really to short to get a true understanding of each of your students and their abilities which make this very difficult.This is something you as a instructor must keep a close eye on so both students are being helped.
Hi James:
Yep - student-to-student assisting or peer tutorials are a great way for students to get some of what they need in a form and fashion they feel safe in. The group settings you describe are one type of that.
Regards, Barry
One way is to set up lab groups that have both type of students in itI find out they help each other out also just working with the student that dosest have hands on and giving them the needed guidence works well
Hi David:
Sounds like you're doing a lot of good class strategies that have proven to be useful and effective. The cool thing is making yourself available - the value and importance of your time and interest can never be underestimated.
Regards, Barry
Teaching toward the middle ground is a starting point. I make myself available before and after class for any help students may need. I also try to have extra assignments or projects available for the faster students. As mentioned, grouping students will help many of the students. Also getting the sharper students involved in class discussions can give different perspectives for the students understanding.
Hi Tom:
Good point. I rely on the better or stronger students to help lead the way for the weaker students. And I agree that using the stronger students to assist makes them feel empowered somewhat, and they probably do try a little harder.
Regards, Barry
The advanced student may get bored and lose interest.If you call on them for information support and assistance it has benefit. The advanced student feels needed and a part of the class. Those with little knowledge are impressed that one of their peers has learned so much and may be encouraged to try harder.
Hi Steven:
Optional labs are great, even for weaker students, but they can be used for the stronger students as well. I agree and have found that most usually, stronger students are willing to help weaker students, if they have the time and and are willing to actively participate. Most students feel flattered to be asked by the instructor to assist.
Regards, Barry
I have optional labs available for each of the courses I teach to keep the more advanced students challenged. I can adjust the difficulty and volume of work to match the ability of the class. If the class or several students are struggling with the basic requirements I will adjust the delivery of the material. The more advanced students are usually eager to help the weaker students.
Hi Errol:
Good intentions! Sometimes the "challenging" part of motivating students can difficult to determine how to proceeed, or on the other hand, difficult to keep stronger students challenged. There are ways. It may require a bit of trial and error. And what works one time may not another.
Regards, Barry
By having the course material that falls into the middle of the student spectrum challenges those that fall behind a little and gives those than can get it done a sense of accomplishment. For those students that have field experience, I keep challenging material and tasks ready so if they complete the required task early, I then can challenge them with additional task or research.
Hi Louis:
This technique works well when the stronger students feel comfortable working with weaker students. Students seem to relate to each other in a special way that's different from instructor-oriented assistance. But the key is that the stronger student has to want to assist and also have a personality that doesn't conflict with the weaker student they're working with.
Regards, Barry
I adress this on the first day of class with intro with the students telling me there backround knowledge experience and use the more advanced students to help the less experienced students with the more technical info and lab situations.
Hi Lyle:
You seem to have a handle on doing the most with the limited time you have. Volunteering your time after class is a trait seen in better instructors. And using the stronger students as a resource is a terrific idea. I think students like being mentored by one of their own.
Regards, Barry
Hi Gregory:
Good use of getting the students to share their experiences. Better instructors will seamlessly tie the student remarks to the daily lesson.
Balancing lecture and theory with hands and practical is a great technique to avoid losing the students interest.
Regards, Barry
