I agree. Mixing things up generally makes the topic a lot more interesting. Some students only learn from visual and auditory so the instructor has to change it up and bend a little to the students learning aptitudes.
This is a very good idea. Looking ahead in the book to make sure the proper review is used and the best way teach the material is done is a great learning tool.
Creating practical examples for the students has always helped me illustrate my points in the classroom.
I use varied methods during my class. I lecture for a short period to get the base information across and then ask questions during my demo portion.
Hi Kerry,
I appreciate your kind words. My personal opinion is that the PPs are offered as value added inclusions to get instructors to adopt a certain textbook. Sometimes I think they forget how to deliver the content with the PPs and get carried away with glitch.
Gary
In Criminal Justice this is so crucial!! Instructors must stay current on case law, legislation, appellate decisions, policy, etc. As CJ instructors, we must always provide accurate, current, and relevant information to the students. The Instructor MUST stay current or the material gets old and outdated quickly. Court Cases are decided every day by various courts. CJ Instructors simply have to stay current because the legal world is constantly changing. If you don’t then you lose your credibility, and your class!
Scott
Gary,
Thanks you for the ideas. I will use them. I wonder why all the text books come with powerpoint presentations that take hours to deliver. Maybe the textbook companies should take your course.
Kerry
Hi Kerry,
You can use learning groups where the students work together on new content. Also, you can have students do mini-presentations on different topics. Create a game like Jeopardy or create teams and have competitions. What you will find with this kind of variety is that you can use PowerPoint when you need to because students are not being shown a PP every day. Make sure the PP is brief to the point, colorful, graphic and not filled with too much text and the students won't mind it near as much.
Gary
Hi Michelle,
Graphic organizers, mnemonics and the loci method are three tools that are real effective in helping students to memorize. Also, the use of games that involved repetition work very well.
Gary
As a massage instructor a fundamental knowledge of anatomy, physiology and hands-on massage techniques have to be presented in a way where it resembles "a good marriage." I haven't done it yet, but I plan to use mini lectures on the anatomy and physiology aspects of the course while applying practical massage techniques with hand outs on the very specific muscles they are massaging at that moment. That way they will acquire a "holistic" understanding of what they are doing and how it's affecting the body and the mind.
How do you help with memorization?
I check in often with the students and ask them their opinion of the lecture, activity, quiz, etc. I keep track of the feedback and either drop or keep that material based on the feedback. If most or all of the students dislike the teaching method, I drop that material.
Thanks for the comment Gary. Are there other presentation methods. Powerpoint is getting a bad name. Many times students groan when I mentioned there will be a 15 minute powerpoint presentation.
Hi Kerry,
This is a great combination that you are using in your teaching. Extensive personal experience and success stories from graduates. This sets the stage for motivation and excitement for the students.
Gary
I use experiences that I have encountered during the 28 years I was in the work force. I like to use guest speakers that can bring current situations that are happening in their jobs and how the course content can prepare them for these situations.
Hi Darlene,
You are on the right track with your instructional planning. In a previous life I was pre-vet and took the courses you are talking about. I had a number of professors that were great at covering the material but keeping us involved in all phases of the class. Their methods made the class time go fast as well as making the learning fun.
You do have a lot of material to cover but by keeping the students engaged and offering a variety of ways to learn you will be able to increase the speed of learning for your students.
Gary
I really like this idea and will look to incorporate guided readings into the course I'll be teaching. Thanks!
As I develop my lesson plans, I'll be striving to use a combination of mini-lectures with PowerPoint presentations that incorporate photos/illustrations, case studies and worksheets that can be completed in small groups or individually. The class I'll be teaching is an introductory veterinary physiology and related diseases class (anatomy is a separate course), which tends to lend itself to lectures. But since it is a three-hour evening class, I know I need to keep the students engaged throughout the period.
I plan on using power point slides through lecture and discussion. It is hard to always make the course content interactive with the class but I feel mixing in some discussion and visual aids into the lecture will make it more interesting for students.
Hi Kimberly,
Thanks for sharing these websites with us. They are great and will be of help to other instructors.
Gary
