Think of "news that you can use." That is, focus on the content that will give the students instant applicability of the knowledge they learn. I.e. news you can use--instantly!
Hi Uwe:
I think discussion is among the better ways students learn because it involves critical thinking. In the real world of work many situations occur that can't be planned for ahead of time, so a good student has to be able to think on their feet. This where practice through discussion can be quite helpful.
Regards, Barry
deviding each task / test / group work int time line segments w/enough time for brakes and discussion
Hi Guy:
Sometimes it's a challenge to find the right mix of content and delivery choices when you have a diverse population of students with differing levels of knowledge and motivation. Some teachers will break their student into groups - many ways to do this, all successful to some degree. One combination might be one bright students with several weaker students.
Another method is to put the brighter students in one group and the weaker students in another group. Each group is given similar but different assignments. This allows the instructor to spend more time and attention with their weaker folks.
Regards, Barry
I am over prepared as well. In my case as a chef instructor I have to prepare for the many different questions that are going to happen after lecture. Some are right on task with the lecture materials and some ask the same questions that were covered in lecture due to attention span issues. Course content is kind of out of our control, but delivery of that info is controllable.
Hi Pierre:
Good ideas. Curriculum should be based on institutional approved student learning oucomes (SLO's) for each course. The couse ouline and syllabus is then derived from this foundation. If the instructor avoids straying from the SLO's, the appropriate and essential material for that course is assured to be covered. If time and resources allow, additional material may be added, but the minimum SLO's need to be met.
That said, your good point about the human delivery of the essential course content is what makes a course memorable to students.
Regards, Barry
It is all about having standards and honoring the curriculum. Having an action plan and following through. Being respectful and supportive. Caring and doing the right thing. Striving to provide quality education. Intensic motivation and investing ourself.
Hi Alana:
I think you've got a good plan there. Experienced teachers often have much more information theyb want to share then there is time to deliver. A key to thinking about this is whether the selected lessons and resources effectively contribute to stuident learning. If so, wonderful!
Regards, Barry
I like to be over-prepared with material. If a class moves quicker, I have critical thinking questions and case studies ready to go.
