Winning your students over
I am a first time instructor, and have two classes I am currently teaching. I find my two classes are like night and day... the younger class constantly test me, while my other, more advanced class goes with the flow of class, and do not challenge me.
I do not come into the class room demanding respoect, I do not throw my "authority" around, and I treat everyone fairly. I discuss with them why they lost points, and am open for a discussion about a varying answer. About half of the class constantly whine about the homework assignments, quizes and lab work, while the other half does really well, and completes the work. I have asked other instructors if I am being too demanding, and they all feel that I am just being tested. That the curriculum is within what is fair to expect of the class.
How can I unite the class?
Hi Edward,
Good strategy, thanks for sharing it with us. This format really increases student involvement and interaction which leads to a higher level of content retention.
Gary
While I attended the Physician Assistant Program I found that the most fun and challenging courses are the the one that involved group discussions and the one when the instructor separated the class in groups of 4 and asked questions. The team with the most point wins. It made the course fun when it would have been dry otherwise.
Hi Angelique,
One approach I use is to create work/learning groups with my students. I put them into groups with 3-5 members. I mix the demographics so I get all ranges of ages, experiences and motivations. Then I assign the groups case studies or problems to work on jointly. I make it a competition in a fun sort of way because students really get into challenges. This has served to pull together some very different individuals and groups once they are untied for a common cause.
Gary
