Alan,
Change of pace and variety are the two elements of engagement for students. You are using both with your approach not to mention a few laughs along the way. Good job.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree when the information it current and relevant along with engaging the students will grasped more therefore learning is maximize.
The use of lecture and observation and hands on approach as well. When I know personally things can get a bit dull I do through a little comedy in as well. All togther it works out well.
I plan my sessions to include auditory - lecture, visual - Powerpoint, tactile - "hands on" demonstrations and time for the students to test their skill. this seems to keep them engaged and actively participating in the class.
Denise,
Good way to help the students to stay focused on the topic. Students appreciate the opportunity to smile and share a laugh now and then.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I use humor and inspirational slides to keep the students engaged.
Phuong,
Right you are about letting the students know they will be called upon and are expected to be prepared to contribute. If they don't feel this way then they will sit back and let someone else lead the discussion and their contributions will be lost.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
presentations has led students to anticipate routinely that they will have ready. group discussion were observed to make significantly higher learning gains and better
Benny,
I like the way you do this because you are letting your students apply their newly acquired skills in different settings. They learn the foundational elements but use them with different recipes and this reinforces their skill sets.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I use different recipes but apply the same technique to show with proper technique a recipe is a guideline. This also helps with how to treat ingredients.
Jack,
How do you stay current in your field?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
well we are in the process of implementing some new infromation and applicable for the students.
Mary,
I teach in a teacher preparation program an inclusion course. I train general educators to use different accommodations to help students with disabilities to be successful in general classroom. What the teachers soon realize is that the techniques and strategies I share with them can be used with every student. This is an ah-ha moment because good teaching is good teaching. So the more change of pace and variety we offer our students the more engaged they will be. You are on the right track with your efforts and you have a lot of insight having set through the IEPs for your sons.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have two sons who each have different learning styles due to either a physical disability or learning disability. I have attended many IEP meetings through the years. I really appreciated the efforts of those teachers who were willing to go the extra mile to maybe give one of my sons an oral exam or extended time ( even teaching my deaf child to speak! ) BUT there were some who were very flustered when they had to make accomodations from they way they preferred to teach. I myself needed both visual and lecture to understand concepts. I am trying to use both with my students
When it comes to technology and advacements in technology, course content is continuously changing. To keep the course content relevant I try to stay updated but struggle with training aids that could be passed around the room.
Christina,
Students love hear stories from their instructors about what they did in the field. Also these stories make the course content come alive because they hear how it can be applied. So keep telling the stories and having fun relating your career experiences.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Regina,
Knowing the learning preferences of your students helps to keep them engaged and focused on the topic being covered. This is so important if you are going to see the learning take place that you desire.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
To accomodate the learner preference you must know your students. Watch them and pay close attendtion as you present material in class. Also make sure to use varies styles as you rely material to the students.
While lecturing, I find the students enjoy hearing examples of how the content played out in my own work experience so they can identify with how it may effect their future career. I also share mistakes that I made in my career so that they may learn from those as well. I try to remind them that EVERYONE has their first day on the job so none of us are beyond mistakes, but if given the chance to learn from anothers mistake, may make life a lot less stressful! Christina
Joseph,
You have a good flow to your delivery and a change of pace programed in to help keep your students engaged. This is what learners like because it helps to keep them engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
