Adapting new technologies is one of my main goals for this year. I am currently evaluating how I can intorduce social wbsites into some of my classes.
I try to find ways to encourage students to use technology to their advantage, and task them with finding ways that they can incorporate their use of technology into answering questions, and finding answers to problems. I try to make available different resources that the students may have not thought about previously, (i.e. Youtube videos that explain a certain topic, or an app that may help them solve answers to problems.)
I have found relevant books/worksheets, also by introducing new technology to the classroom. I have online polls that can be created and students can use their cell phones to interact with these polls. It seems to be a quick burst of energy for the students especially early morning classes.
I think adding short videos to the lectures from the industry helps relate the material to the "real world" and validates what they are learning. I find that students really respond well to this type of content.
I use the addition of problem-based learning in my courses at the end of a section by providing case studies that tie all new knowledge together.
As many students have smartphones with internet access, using this tool in the classroom in a group setting has been beneficial (a group because you may still have a student or two without one--therefore they can work as a team). Give the class a short topic to research or a series of short questions related to the subject of the day. Allow 15 minutes of research and discussion in a group, then have the group report their findings to the rest of the class.
telling actual stories that effect the subject are great
In todays day and age technology is incorporated into almost everything we do, and in career fields this every changing and predominant technology is import to incorporate into our instruction. An example is the use of different medical apps that people can use on their smart phones and tablets. Many of these apps are free and by introducing students to them early on they can be helpful to students throughout the learning process and as they enter the working world.
Stay current on the newest pictorial video can complement your lecture or give the student a picture other than a diagram
I will be adding in case studies, field trips, and guest speakers. We will be role playing as well as gaining hands-on experience in lab settings.
Anything and everything can be part of additional instructional resources. I find that I Tunes works well with some of my English classes. There is much to be mined from this site.
I have found that you tube has a vast library of instructional videos and the students love it because it is a type of social learning. They also have access to it from their own computer. Also, guest speakers always bring excitement go the classroom.
I like to recap the lecture from the day before with questions, short quiz. I also like to add a little technology which engages the students since they love being on the phone. I input polleverywhere.com where I have added questions pertaining to the lecture and they can answer them anonymously. They love it! I also add in a few fun questions.
I ask students how familiar they are with certain subjects which includes technology. I will then tell them I will use some of these resources in class.
Some ways of adding resources to the instructional content include having this program called Engrade. It allows the instructor to communicate with the students outside of the classroom. It has a class calendar, posting options for students to each other, and also allows students to send the instructor personal emails.
This program is not the same as social websites, but it is an alternative for the classroom. Students are given the opportunity to communicate whenever they are away from the classroom and do not have direct contact with the instructor.
Guest speakers can add excitement to the class. It allows the students to get a feel for the career they are getting into.
I add resources to every subject I teach. i like using web sites and using the CD's that come with the books. this helps students to use teh CD's at home too. They see the value of using their time to do the activities when I introduce them to them in class.
For the classes I teach I always ask students alot of question because I have to be able to understand how much teh have learned and understand.
MARGARET
Aaron,
I agree. It is important that students are encouraged to seek out scholarly sources for personal research or information. Most institutions have access to a virtual library, which are the desired resource platforms.
Tremayne Simpson
Dennis,
This is an excellent point. I also believe that it is beneficial to schedule "job shadowing" opportunities for students that are nearing graduation, so that they can see how classroom material is applied within the "real world".
Tremayne Simpson
