Hi Stephanie,
What a great way to grab your students attention. We have to be creative in this new generation of teaching. I can understand why the students get excited about this assignment.
Patricia Scales
One of the subjects I teach is music theory and I find that if I let my students go online to find a song that relates to the topic at hand it really helps them understand the concepts more readily and they want to learn more about how their favorite music is written. When I make it pertinent to them specifically versus overall theory, they are more inclined to learn the information.
Hi Paul,
Awesome way to reinforce what has been taught!
Patricia Scales
ihave used this method of what did i learn yesterday each student has to write something they learn from the lecture they usually race to the board because the longer you wait, the greater chance of your question being taken by someone else it seems to work welland improve grades.
Hi Gary,
Super! Call and respone is a good way to keep students on their toes and to check their level of understanding.
Patricia Scales
Hi Frederick,
Case studies are a great way to test learning. Students need to have as much practical learning in the classroom as possible so that when they get on the job things do not come as a surprise to them.
Patricia Scales
During lectures I will sometimes use "Call And Response" techniques. I will call out for information that has been previously discussed, as it pertains to the present lesson and they respond back to me with the information. On top of that I make them prove thier answer by showing me where it is written in the book. They get involved and now learn the layout of the documents they will be using for the test.
I usually ask the students questions and have them try some case studies. They have to state the reasons for arriving at their responses, which bring out their critical and/or analytical thinking skills, demonstrating active learning.
Hi Robert,
Great exercise. We need to keep our students up and moving as much as time allows. Also active learning really helps add flavor to courses.
Patricia Scales
When I teach Introduction to Electrical/Electronics Systems I usually spend the first week or more in lecture. It is difficulty to do demonstrations on Ohm's Law or be able to show students electrons jumping from atom to atom. What I do is to make them stand up and pass around some soccer balls that represent the electrons in a circuit. As they pass the electrons around the circle (circuit) when I apply 'pressure' (voltage) from one side they are more easily able to see how the electrons flow through the circuit and how that creates electricity. It helps to keep them awake by getting them out of their seat, too!!
Hi Allen,
Great way to ensure understanding of muscles. Also, students have fun by utilizing this method. Students retain more when they can actually perform active learning.
Patricia Scales
Hi Lauren,
I concur! Hands-on learning is an effective way to teach to promote better understanding. Some people really have to do it in order to understand.
Patricia Scales
In the Kinesiology class, we will use a power point to click and drag muscles to the correct origin and insertion.
I teach some medical labs and my students seem to learn much better using hands on learning
Hi Edna,
Super! Students get it when they have written instructions, and they get to practice through hands-on. Students tend to understand better by doing.
Patricia Scales
There are many "lecture" days where the instructor is doing a demo of what the students will be doing the next day. I always ask my students to participate in prepping the demo and actually helping to prepare the demonstrated item. I always am there coaching and after 20 to 30 minutes, change students so that all in the class can participate. Then, the next day when the student is to reproduce the demonstrated product, they have some "hands on, tactile experience" so that it is more familiar. Of course, there is lecture preparation before the demonstration so that they have written instructions as well. They go in the next day with written as well as hands on preparation for class. I find this leads to greater success and satisfaction of each student.
Hi Serena,
I love the probing questions. These type of questions really keep students on their toes, and they let you know if students are understanding.
Patricia Scales
I pause during lecture and ask "why?" or I will ask a "what if. . .". I also like to "throw out" a point and then say "let's disuss" or "would that work?"
Hi Shellie,
Awesome! This is certainly real learning at its best. Students love it when we make learning fun and apply to what they will be doing in the workplace. I love how you allow the students to play both roles.
Patricia Scales
Because my students are pursing degrees in Interior Design, which involves not only working for clients but setting up their own businesses, I like to have my students engage in two roles. One role is that of the customer seeking interior design services. The other role, is that of the interior design firm representatives. My learners work in teams and get to experience the process from both perspectives. They have a lot of fun and the feedback has been phenomenal.
