Teaching info that needs to be memorized
I am teaching a class that is short (3 weeks) and packed with info - bony landmarks and muscle origins/insertions and actions in a small classroom setting. It's a struggle to get through the information in the time given, let alone to have the time to be a more creative facilitator. Any suggestions for this type of class?
charlene,
this is so true & while we tend to view them as being for kids, they work well for all ages of learners.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree with Denise-flashcards are great! I not only use them in the clinic where I teach, I use them for any material I need to learn-I believe they are a great learning tool!
Michael,
yes, flash cards are a great tool that we too often relegate to elementary school.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I second (or third) the flash card remark. I often suggest them and am pleased when students are ahead of me and have them prepared already.
Leslie,
this is a great activity as it isn't just memory recall but they also must engage with the concepts.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have also found if I can free up some class time I have them make the flash cards and then break up into groups and I tape the flash cards on their back and they have to describe to each other what they are. The students who are describing must recognize the picture and recall the important facts and the student who is wearing it must know the cell from the facts.
Denise,
this is an excellent point. In our "portable world" flashcards are one of those things that can go pretty much anywhere with you & so provide that great opportunity for committing material to memory.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Denise,
this is an excellent point. In our "portable world" flashcards are one of those things that can go pretty much anywhere with you & so provide that great opportunity for committing material to memory.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
When I teach a class that has information that has to be memorized, I do also suggest using flashcards to my students. They are less bulky than constantly having their book on hand, they are portable and can be used whenever the student can fit the opportunity for study into their day, i.e., the commute on the train or bus, a break or lunch at work, etc. I also try to stress the importance of using colored highlighters to remind them of important information and grouping information together. My students are currently working with conversion factors in math. The use of the flashcard does help retain what information we need to memorize.
This subject is near and dear as I teach massage therapy students. It is important to do as much hands on as possible. I have them find the landmarks on themselves when possible. It also helps to add movement when the bony landmark with rotate or move under their fingers; this seems to give them the ah-ha moment necessary for retention of the material. I also use erasable markers and identification on Mr. Bones or single bones like a vertebra, asking them to identify the specific landmarks or write them down as I identify them. Lastly, connect the actions of muscles to movements they do and see every day.
I teach this type of material as well. I have made flash cards with the boney landmarks on them. I lay the cards on the table with a roll of tape. All the students come up and have to tape the appropriate card to the spot on "Mr. Bones." I also have them draw the muscles on each other with washable markers. Hands on work seems to help with the memory. I have also had the students create a game with the information (like Jeopardy) that we play as a review before exams.
This is not an area that I have any expertise in but in observing how students are preparing for these kinds of classes I see many working in pairs or groups calling the muscle groups or bones out to one another. A small group setting where the students use flash cards to review the material in class may be way to change things up with a class jeapordy type of review at the end.
Gay,
definitely a difficult situation. I would say are there ways to present some of the information in a written format so you can free up any class time?
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
