Hi Patricia,
I have witnessed that many students learn by doing it or seeing an example. We need to use variation in our teaching methods so that we reach all learners.
Patricia Scales
Hi Roy,
Students need variation. All lecture is not a good practice. Try hands-on activities, simulations, mock learning, role playing, case studies, scenarios, etc.
Patricia Scales
Many students learn by exmple rather than lecture. I think it is beneficial to incorperate this hands on approach into the classroom.
Being an IT instructor, as I lecture on a topic, I have the students practice the material that they have been taught. I do this by giving a brief lecture on the most relevant points of the subject matter and then demonstrating the skills on a computer. After the demonstration is complete I have the students then try and repeat the demonstration on their own lab computers. When the students are doing this, I will walk around the classroom and monitor the student’s activities and then offer any assistance when needed. After the activity has been completed we have a class discussion on what they had just learned and how it can be applied in the field.
I don't believe I do any lectures that are "pure" lectures. I have found that class is far more interesting for the students (and for me) if we turn most subject matter into a discussion. Even if the topic is a particularly difficult one, I have found that by comparing and contrasting with everyday normal ideas, the students take more away from the class and recall it better in the future. For example, when explaining the boot process the class came up with the idea that it compares with their normal morning routine.
I agree Linda...spending too much time lecturing has a negative affect on learning as students fail to retain the early information.
Hi Sara,
I concur! Students must learn how to put book theory to practical use. I love your outlook on this with your students.
Patricia Scales
Hi Charles,
Students love tactile learning! The learning sticks better when tactile learning is utilized.
Patricia Scales
In the cosmetology field, it is important for students to be able to take the book and apply it to their every day life. I try to use examples and have the students think of examples and situations that they encounter on a daily basis to show that they really do use the things that have learn out of the book as well as the practical hands on skills that they are learning.
Tactile learning works well in my class room.
I walk around the room with parts in my hands. Showing students how they function.
I also hand students parts to Identify the function.
Hi Thomas,
I feel the same as you do! I love teaching because of the whole learning process and what is gained from it. Over the 23 years, my students have taught me an abundance of knowledge.
Patricia Scales
So what is something I could do to help make basic electricity more interactive? Its one of those subjects that my students test low in. Thanks for your help!
The use of different tools:
Video
Group Discussions
Role Play
Demonstrations
Lesson Outlines
Handouts
Google (Students Favorite)
U Tube
These are the tools that we have to use with our lessons. I will evaluate what other tools we could be using.
kenneth,
I couldn't agree with you more. At the beginning of every class I teach, I ask the student how they like to learn. About 80% of the time, they answer someting along the lines of "hands-on." I learn by doing most students tell me.
thanks,
tom
Patricia,
I could agree more with your statement that students learn a lot from each other. In fact, I learn a lot from my students. The active learning model is not only stimulating for the students, but is equally stimulating for us teachers. One big reason I like teaching so much is because I get to learn so much while teaching. Active learning can also enhance the interest and excitement of the teacher.
Thanks for your comment!
Tom
Jose,
I really like this idea! When I teach psychology, I encourage students to bring to class current news stories that have some psychological component that we can analysize in class. I also encourage them to bring observations they have made during the week that relate in some way to the psychological principles we are disucssing. In this way I hope to show them how relevant the study of psychology is--how important it can be to their everyday lives.
Tom
An example I can think of would be a lecture on active listening. Instead of me presenting this section in the textbook, I would ask the students--in small groups--to present the key concepts. I would encourage them to have a hands-on, practice aspect to their presentations--something the class could do to practice active listening. If some of the key concepts are not covered during their presentations, I will cover them myself.
Hi Jose,
Awesome! Students become really interested when they know how the information is going to benefit them either or both professionally/personally.
Patricia Scales
Great insight, one of the things i always try to incorporate in my lectures is "reason why the day's lecture is so importan" by showing relevance of the lecture to real activities in the industry, by showing why the information being covered apply to actual day to day success in the industry and also stimulating active participation of the subject matter.
Hi Sharon,
Students love hands-on activities. They love staying busy, and with a lot of our students if they can do it, they can master the concept.
Patricia Scales
