Applying active learning
Before taking this course I didn't realize how much I was actually using active learning strategies. We have a lot of lecture and I can tell when I'm losing them. By involving training aids to pass around and asking more questions and increasing interaction, I have noticed on lecture days that the students stay engaged longer and pay more attention than if I just stand and recite information. It's become the standard way that I teach my class. I try to have the students involved as much as possible.
Dan, it sounds like you had lots of good teachers yourself to establish that frame of mind.
Unfortunately, my first experience with active learning was not too successful. As a class, we decided to have a debate on a particular issue, broke up into teams, assigned roles and set a date for the debate a few weeks down to road. As the date approached, more and more students dropped out to the point that by the time of the debate, only 1-2 students showed up. Sigh.
It was one of my first classes teaching and I hope I've learned a bit since then.
Hi Dan,
Keep great student involvement. Students love it when they are participating in interactive learning.
Patricia Scales
