Using previous course material relevant in the current subject
I've found that using material that the student should have learned in their previous subject provides some great insight.
First, it shows the relavency of what they have learned and how it applies directly to the new material.
It also provides the "pre-test" recommendation by seeing how well they understood the pevious material or see if they have learned how to use the material.
One recent example was the use of a simple resistor/capacitor network to make a delay timer. We needed a delay timer for an access delay however, we had no delay timers available for the class. We made it an in-class assignment and got the opportunity to show how a RC ciruit can be used in the real world to solve a real world problem that they will encounter often.
If also demonstrated their ability regarding the circuits course they recently completed. It provided a good basis for the level of training that I needed to start with. I quickly learned that Eisnstein's relativity theory was not the place to start; but, rather an understanding of energy was more appropriate (just an outlandish example in this case). But, the idea is the same.
Comments?
Alison,
Ideally, building on past instruction, experience, circumstances, or situations that students can relate to helps in the discovery and exploration of new information. Students will usually respond better to new information if they can relate it information they are already familiar with.
Barry Westling
I teach business courses, but have found the same results. I will bring up something they should have learned in a previous class and it really helps them get those "aha" moments where they realize the connections in what they're learning.
It's so fun to see their faces light up when they remember the topic and the connection.
Barbara,
I believe there is benefit in repetition. Good atheletes practice, good musicians rehearse. It makes sense that good students use repetition in their study and preparation. students have to learn the "culture and language" of a topic, and repetition is a great way to reinforce their knowledge and understanding, and serve as a bridge to deeper demonstration of learning that may require critical thinking.
Barry Westling
I'm a firm believer in using relevant material from previous courses in each current course because it reinforces the relevance of learning the material. Many times, students cannot recall what was taught in prior courses or they express feeling insecure that they are recalling it correctly. Students commonly "learn only for the test" and discover later that this has hurt them. I use medical terminology and other previous course material in every class I teach and remind the students "the more you see it, say it, read it, use it-- the more you will remember it and the more confident you will feel in your recall of it." Education is a building process which is never truly finished. When students complain or tell me "well I was never good at... or I didn't do good when I learned ....before" , I tell them that it is not a reason not to try again and that this is an opportunity to learn it now or improve on their understanding of it.
Jay,
Right! Building on the past is key to moving forward in what's ahead. Using past examples, illustrations, or even stories of situations from past classes or the workplace can be quite effective. Students learn based on what already know, and/or what they can relate to.
Barry Westling
