Clear and Concise Communication
Along with other classroom guidelines we should also be sure that we are communicating clearly and accurately to our students. I find that we will all encounter a student who does not fully understand the subject of discussion, and this is where we must be able to re-analyze our own thought process and explain it in a way for that student to fully understand.
Glenn
We post class requirements and lecture notes onto the student portal for them to print themselves but I have found that on certain long or detailed lectures that I have had the best results in student attention and comprehension when I print them out and they can follow along with the material that I am presenting as i give it. In a perfect scenario our students would have the notes for themselves, however the reality is that only a certain number of them come to class prepared. By giving my students the detailed notes to follow along with I can ensure that at least a greater percentage of them will understand the material being presented.
Hi Matthew,
One of the methods I use to keep the explanations to minimum is provide my students with guided notes. This helps to focus them on the key points of the presentation plus when they ask about a point I can refer to it and then reinforce it on the guided notes handout.
Gary
I find that no matter what I do there will always be a student, or students who won't be able to understand from lecture. Even if you provide it in writing, and give a powerpoint presentation. Someone will always ask for you to explain it to them individually. The trick is to keep that number to a minimum!
I do my best to explain as many times as is necessary.
All these methods are great since they promote student confidence This will motivate them to learn and get their questions answered which furthers learning.This also minimizes negative student reaction which can easily lead them to shut down. Sometimes I will ask who knows the answer to this problem to motivate them to learn so they can answer next time.The end result is knowledge is attained by the answer.
Carlos
Hi Catharine,
With situations like this I have students write down questions if they are afraid to ask them out loud then I collect the questions and respond to them. Other times I talk to a student before class and ask if they will share some information about a topic that they are well versed in when I call on them in class. This way they can prepare a response since they know they are going to be called on. I use student panels as well. I will have three students come to the front of the room and sit behind a table. Each student has a topic to talk about. By being behind the table and sitting down with two other students they don't feel the spotlight in on them as much. Each of these strategies helps to build the confidence of the students the more they do them.
Gary
I find I would have to make assessments of how the student learn. Verbal communication, hands on, reading hand outs, or chapters in the book. I am finding that the students appear to be afraid to offer an opinion for fear of being wrong or fear of looking "out of place" by their peers. How can you address this with out the student feeling like they are in the spot light?
I think your point is excellent. We need to constantly view the class through our students eyes. What is thier level of comprehension based on thier time at school? Thier life experience? Ethnic backround that may lead to a launguage barrier?
Hi Zadi,
What are some strategies that you have used that are really helpful in assisting the students to understand the expectations of the course?
Gary
i agree on that,making sure that the information went true and was fully understand
