Suggestions for addressing learning styles
I've been taught that, as a teacher, I should switch activities about every 20 minutes. My subject (anatomy & physiology) requires learning new, and sometimes words, some complicated processes and a rather large amount of plain old memorization. I use powerpoints for lecture, but need some suggestions on some different activities. Also, if anyone has any ideas on how to limit the time loss that occurs with activity changes, I would appreciate that too.
Hi Cathie- You are running a very dyanamic classroom- great work! Thanks for sharing some great ideas for active learning. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I teach parasitology, but there is a lot of anatomy and physiology involved.
I post the power points and reading assignments for students to peruse before class and include study guides for them. This works well for the written work learners. Pictures and diagrams are included to aid the visual learners. Kinesthetic learners can benefit by incorporating activity while they work.
We have posters that depict anatomy. In class, I have students tape pictures of parasites on in the correct locations and tape x's on anatomical structures where physiologic processes occur as a result of the parasitism. This activity seems to appeal to both visual and kinesthetic learners. We also then discuss the effects of the parasite, which appeals to the auditory learners.
Perhaps Virginia and her students would benefit from a modification of this activity.
I have found that the order that you have activities in can help with time lost in set up. For example, some activities have more instructor involvement than others. If you know you are going to be particularly busy interacting with students for one segment, try to schedule a quick set up for the next activity. Or, if you know you have a lengthy set up, try to have that fall after a break. (not that you shouldn't take a break also...)
i find that telling the students to pick the teams they wanta work in. than set time limits 2mins or what ever you want
Hi Virginia-Do you have access to any anatomical models? You could also create puzzles that are actually pictures of body parts or processes. Then have your students work in teams to see which team can put them together the fastest. To decrease time lost, have everything ready to go before class starts. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
