I would love to use more technological resources but sometimes funding limits what we can do. Having a discussion about these things is a good idea to try and inform the students that there are other resources.
I love to bring in guest speakers that are working in the field currently because it helps the students see the success that they can achieve if they don't give up, it also helps to keep them motivated.
Gary,
I agree with your point. Anytime an instructor can use a combination fo visual imagery and "hands on" activities/demonstrations, they definitely will spark the interest of their students. I am aware that it is not always possible, however instructors have to try to implement these types of activities, as often as possible.
Tremayne Simpson
Easy experiments can drive home a point about a bigger principle. A textbook discussion of effects of certain compounds on food can bore students. But cook a green vegetable in acidulated water, show how the color quickly gets dull and unattractive, and they remember it.
Jacqueline,
Excellent use of resources. In addition, this provides your students with experience in interacting with individuals that work in their desired field.
Tremayne Simpson
I like to bring in speakers who have knowledge in the subject area. I also like to provide handouts for my students that are examples from working in the medical field, i.e. reports, office notes, of course with all the pertinent patient information blacked out. This allows students to see what charts and patient records look like in a medical office as opposed to just hypothetically from a book.
Taking my students off campus to visit professionals in their work environment is very valuable. Also asking professionals to come in to the classroom and speak helps to make a connection between the lesson and the real world.
Roberto,
What instructional resources are you currently using to engage students in the class?
Tremayne Simpson
Joy,
I agree. In addition, homogeneously delivered courses are "dull" to most instructors as well. Delivering repeated content, without the opportunity of facilitating a diverse, learning session can take the "fun" out of the entire instructional experience.
Tremayne Simpson
I will try to make the class interesting so that the students will get engaged, I can add overhead projectors, power points, guest speakers, etc.
I have the students find at least one outside resource for some topics. Not all can be used in class but a few have become part of lesson plans for later classes.
I think anything that adds interest is good. Classes that are straight lecture can become quite dull. Whether it be something simple, like a video clip or power point, or something more advanced, like having students actively participate in a demonstration, anything that can get students' minds moving and working will add value to the classroom.
Rochelle,
Providing students with a vast amount of instructional resources, can assist in them making their learning experience intrinsic. Intrinsically motivated learning can lead to a better student retention of information and can enable them to find alternative connections to the presented class content.
Tremayne Simpson
Jennifer,
I am an advocate for using alumni to be guest speakers for courses. Their experience as students with success in the field, can be used to motivate or inspire the future graduates. In addition, they can discuss the obstacles and difficulties that they faced, to provide examples for students that may be having a tough time in the program.
Tremayne Simpson
Students really enjoy a variety of resources with instructional content, so I try to incorporate using field trips with related follow-up assignments that they have to relate back to the course material. They also really enjoy speakers, and as I teach, I also try to bring in my own experiences from the field to emphasize the relevancy of what we're studying.
I incorporate a lot of power-point and assignments requiring the use of not only internet but also requiring they use a minimum number of text resources to include trade journals and their textbooks from other related curriculum classes.
The enthusiasm for learning becomes very contagious!
Linda,
Peer learning can be a highly effective instructional technique. In many cases, students are motivated by the success of their peers and in this case, they can be motivated by another student's experiences.
Tremayne Simpson
One of the classes I teach deals directly with what the students will be doing once they graduate. By using a former student who is now working in the field, I would be able to show how important the material learned within the class is to their success.
Sometimes, if a student is adept in a certain program, I let them become the resource speaker for part of the lesson.
Crystal,
Videos can provide a great a supplement to a learning unit. In addition, the instructor can hold a discussion (to assess student application of material), periodically, during the video.
Tremayne Simpson
