Setting
With my students it is best if they have a calm setting to learn in.
1/2 the students class day is labs. Whenever starting a new lab, I 1st show them what they are expected to learn and how to do it. I then have each student try it on their own. I work with each student on their lab and explain what they are doing right and what they need to redo. Once they have done it on their own and it is correct, I have them tear it down and redo it without my assistance
Our classrooms are a little more on the “Bare†side. Being a mechanical trade tech school, we try to keep our classrooms looking a little more high tech. Pictures and posters on the wall are used more for information, and relevancy.
I do beleave that teaching and help them on labs are great and demoing it as well helps keep them involved.
In our classroom atmosphere, four days are in the lab and one is in the classroom. Because of the design of the classroom, we are limited to seating arrangements.
One thing we need to do is update our insructional tools because not having the equipment functioning correctly is discoraging to the student.
The course I deal with involves student's access to a computer and lots of class discussion/participation. We have found it best to have the students sit in a U-shape configuration. This allows the student to face each other The instructor off to the side of the class in front to facilitate the flow of the discussion
teaching new students is great
shari,
yes, any time we can get students up & moving it is a positive as this greatly helps them with staying focused & retaining information.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
In the majority of my classes, the students have a lot of hands on. So, they may start in their seats for a lecture but normally end up on the massage tables so they really are moving and active for a large part of the class.
I find that to be the case as well. I have a hard time with the window blinds open. The students don't stay focused.
I find my students learn better when I use visual aids along with on the board work.
We are able to discuss and address issues as they come up easily through examples.
rebecca,
this is a great idea as it allows the students to focus where they need to & help them develop their skills further.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I teach lab so it is best to have different settings for different lab skills and a center for those students who want help going over the skills that are required on that day.
