I have various learners in my classes based on life experiences and age. In order for me to accomodate to each of their learning preferences I either give them an assessment or simply ask them of their prior knowledge of a subject area.
Teaching online Human Resource classes, its important to create meaningful engagement thru dynamic forums (as well as develop motivation to listen to recorded lectures, view videos and read outside resource material on applicable current event.) Students frequently share that the forums have been their favorite part of the learning experience...as frequently they here have to examine their assumptions, and thru the efforts to create that safe environment of collegial respect within our class group, have an avenue to share experiences and thoughts that in some cases they've had nowhere else to share...and here they have an opportunity to do so with collegaues who typically are empathetic and often followup with comments of similar challenges in the workplace, etc.
I have read through the text book to check for thoroughness, accuracy, and the general flow of the material. I have brought in websites and legal books that relate to the text book content.
Thanks for the ideas, breaking it up is important,since human interactions and people's problems are the focus in my classes, movies are a rich source illustrations, short clips are helpful. When a movies tells the story well like "When a Man Loves a Woman" for alcoholism, I assign it to the class with some guiding questions, and then ask for recollections during the lecture time.
Hi Tyler,
You make a good point about helping students to see the practicality of what they are learning. This is so important in the teaching learning process. Without application and relevancy the instructional process can break down quickly.
Gary
Hi,
The very first day that I taught, I wrote my name, email address and course number on the board. After that, I introduced myself and then let the students introduce themselves. Some said more then others. I think it a better idea to give them the flash cards. I will try that the next mode. I printed out all the procedures from the course. That will help me organize the first day of class better. So far I have just done what I've seen most of my professors do. Vocational classes are different than traditional college classes. I'm very grateful for the advice, I've been kind of confused.
Instruction needs to be hands on and lecture for teaching massage therapy. I'm new to the teaching field and realizing that I need to be creative with the different learning styles for the students.
As a teacher of technology, I continuously relate the material I am teaching to everyday life. Students find practicality in virtually every aspect of the course that I teach, which makes it very fun and interesting :)
Show the students that what is taught in your class holds water. Show how this information is vital. Tieing in real life exp. and situations relies on this curiculum.
Due to space-limit, time-limit, resources-limit, and most important, delivery limit, I find it difficult to employ all the various "styles" of learning into one session, however.
Dr. Yoon Sik Kim
I use real world applications that they would use in the job market. I also use guest speaker , examples and any thing that I find that is relevant to the course.
That is easy because most of my class is hands on,stressing the importance of lecture material is more of a challenge.
In my classes I go over chapter questions and quizzes with students in class having them participate in answering the questions aloud and having them come up to the front of the class to write out questions or problems on the board so that the class as a whole may answer the question or solve the problem. I only lecture for a short time and then usually there is a hands on activity of some sort.
I attempt to provide different forms of learning each session...lecture, visual, hands-on exercises, multimedia search or content and classroom discussions...Hoping to provide each student to accel in their specific learning style or preference.
Letting the student chose the Video example to help make content points.
Hi Grace,
This is a great way to show your students application and relevancy. By bringing in such current events you are showing them that what they are learning today can be used today. You are helping them to connect the dots between the classroom and real life.
Gary
In my field we have a hands on learning kitchen, but there has to be some lecture. So for the students who have not been in school for a while I try to keep things interesting. I play games, walk the roon, do cheers whatever it takes to keep them happy.
I take current events in the media, along with work experiences I personally encountered to make the class relevent. It gives the students a real-life reference to show that what they are learning will be used later in life.
Hi Alicia,
Sharing stories about the field and experiences you have had working really help to show the students application and relevancy. They like to see what the end results are going to be with their newly acquired knowledge and these stories really help to do that.
Gary
The success of showing case studies has shown students the benefits of best practises and helping them use creative thinking for problem solving.
