What a great idea, I have never used CATs before and I will certainly incorporate them into my teaching. I like the before and after idea. Thanks again.
CATs can be important in my teaching due to the fact that after discussing a topic, we can go apply the lesson in a lab setting. This helps the student retain the information because they apply it immediately and actually see the value or purpose.
Gary Piontkowski
Hi warren - Thanks for your post to the forum. Great idea to ask the technical question BEFORE and then AFTER the class! As you say, students will then see how much they have learned. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I have asked a some technical questions before and after a lecture/learning session. Students are made aware of how much they have learned and gained understanding. Often this makes them less hesitant to ask their unanswered questions and everyone listening benefits
I also give a pre-test in 1 class I instruct and it is enlightening to me and the studet as well. Very helpful to see where the class as a whole stands.
Hi Socorro- Thanks for you post to the forum. Yes, at the begining of every class/lesson it is important to get an idea of what your studnets already know about the topic. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Aaron - Thanks for your post to the forum. Good idea to get students to really read the textbook! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
At the end of each power point lecture, I provide an open book quiz which consist of my students not only reading the book material to find the answers, they must also write the page number that the answer was located. This ensures positive reading of the materials given to them.
In presenting a new topic/lesson, I find it effective to generate basic informations and start discussing from what they already know.
Hi Connie - You are doing a great job getting feedback from your students! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
In addition to what Susan stated, you may even want to take one or two responses from the older kids and then break it down or use an example that would be beneficial for that other age group so they can make the connection as well. I had to do this in my sunday school class where I had the range of 2-10 year olds so it was stretch to teach the older kids but still keep them engaged while dealing with the younger ones but I have seen that it did work!!! I would have the older kids help out with the younger ones so it reinforced the lesson for the older ones while helping to teach the younger ones.
Jackie
You know, I have seen the pharmacy tech program teachers use that technique with their students and found that it helped the students remember more of the meds that they had to memorize. My students normally are in front of a computer so I may try and use this to get them to get up and stretch.
Jackie
I actually use this technique by asking students to reflect on what we just spoke about and normally I get one or two questions that spark another discussion which is pretty good. It shows me that they are developing their critical thinking skills and that they either did or didn't capture the topic. At times I have seen that maybe I didn't explain something as I should have so I stop to make sure everyone understands the topic more.
Jackie
As a computer instructor in an adult vocational school where the level of our students' knowledge can vary wildly from student to student in each class, I try to use the background knowledge probe at the beginning of class to see where everyone stands in knowledge and expericence with the material being covered. I also use the Punctuated Lectures technique to stop at certain points in the lectures to make sure the students are still with me and are understanding the materal.
I use CATs every day in my foundations classes!!!they are beneficial!
Hi Robyn - Thanks for your post to the forum. I also like the Minute Paper because it gives me the info I need to make whatever additions/changes I need to make in the very next lesson. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I particularly like the "minute paper" - as I would hope to gain knowledge about whether the lecture that day was helpful or not. That way I can expand instruction in an area that was not understood. This also allows the students to have participation in the instruction - for the adult learner it is important for them to feel like they are involved as well.
Hi Gerald- Thanks for your post to the forum. I am sure that you will find the Minute Paper very useful. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
After discussing concepts in class, I plan to use various CATs, particularly the minute paper approach to assess whether the content is being retained by learners. If content is not being retained, then it would be an indication that the instructional delivery process is not working as expected, thus warranting a change or an adjustment to make it more effective.
I dont often do them in a written form as described, but the first thing I do each day is recap the previous day's learning by asking a series of open ended questions about the prior information. Throught the days lecture I consistantly refer back to past info to reinforce and then I always end the class the same way with a recap, again using open ended questions.
