Jim,
It is important to tie our material to the real world. We should also share relevant personal material with the class but definitely not too much. Wait time is also important and students do enjoy class discussions, just remember to keep them on topic.
Judy Mohammed
Shanika,
I sincerely believe that every college course should have presentations - it really helps to build confidence in students.
Judy Mohammed
Darlisa,
This is an excellent technique. Like you, I use probing and I never leave a student without giving some value to his/her response.
Judy Mohammed
Reynaldo,
I agree. As we have seen, wait time is important. Initially, I use the roster to call names so that I am not calling on the same students. This helps me to leatn their names and I continue to call on all of them. We can also use probing to guide them when they make mistakes. Rather than going to another student, I try very hard to guide the initial student to the correct information.
Judy Mohammed
I think I will tell the new instuctor to use a combination of open and closed questions. Give them life time senerio and ask them what they would do in that case so they learn to apply real time application. Also, I believe if you don't know the answer to the question, let the students know that you will research and get back to them instead of giving a wrong answer to them.
make them think on there own ,it good to help them but they need to bring more to the table then just showing up.use open ended question to make them become part of the answer.keep them engaged in the basics.
Unless the class is very small, maybe 5-6 students, require the students to raise their hands to offer responses. Give enough time that all students have had a chance to formulate an opinion, then call on who you want, letting the students know you'll be probing all of them for responses. It's important for the class to know that your primary goal is to access YOUR teaching and THEIR learning. So that questioning compliments quizzes and other assessments.
Ask questions to be sure that the students are following and understanding the information you are presenting after each topic. Make sure to ask in a very non -threating way, use simple closed questions reviewing what you have just taught.
As you move forward in the lecture from one topic to the next review previous topics and then ask an open question. This will make the studets have to think and put the lesson together beyond what was simply given and told to them.
When students are answering questions be sure to probe.
Redirection to another student can be a great tool to add information. When students answer correctly use appropriately some form of praise or recognition to a all answers.
Allowing for appropriate waait times, identify open and closed questions as well as comprehension and application. We find that in our program the goal is to build questioning and reach matering of application and analysis questioning. This method prepares them for their boards more effectively.
First, I would tell the new instructor that to tie the material to the real world, his/her questions must be worded so the students see the relevance of the material.
Secondly, i would suggest that once a question has been asked to shut up and wait for a student to respond.
Lastly, get all students involved. Asking a good question has the potential to generate a good class discussion.
My courses require reports to be submitted, so what I do is I have the students write the reports and then present them to the class. This helps them with public speaking especially.
I would advise the instructor to utilize probing. Encourage the student to use his/her critical thinking abilities to not just regurgitate a response but express their comprehension of the subject matter. Why is it this way? or Why is it not?
When a student responds be careful about the manner in which you acknowledge the response. If the answer is not what the instructor was looking for...still leave the student with a sense of encouragement by saying... that was good but can you provide a little more or ask if someone else can elaborate a little more etc.
Everybody is different therefore the students are different too and they learn in different ways. For that reason we have to use different type of questions so they can show what they have leaned or understood.
Try to ask questions to all students so it is clear that you do not have favorite students or that you are picking on them or that you put them on the spot all the time.
We all make mistakes therefore students also make mistakes when they answer questions. Many times the mistake happens because we do not have enough time to think. It is a good technique to give students time to think about their answers therefore do not expect an immediate answer
Ray,
Very good advice! Students do love to be challenged. Do you let your students know how differetn it is in the classroom from the work arena?
Judy Mohammed
Hi Judy
First off I would remind the new instructor the difference in being in the work arena vs teaching students. Second I would tell him to take time to know your students learning habits, this will decide how much and how quickley the information you give can be distributed so that your students will comprehend. Finally I would tell him to challange the students in coming up with their own theories. Yes alot of time it is black and white but students seeem more involved when they come up with different methods in coming up with the same result.
Bobby,
Very good advice! Sometimes we need to hold off on our open-ended questions when we may be running out of time or we need to refocus on the topic at hand.
Judy Mohammed
Geraldine,
Your advice is very sage and instructors would be wise to follow it. Students enjoy being challenged.
Judy Mohammed
Dear Ms. Mohammed,
Firstly, I would ask the instructor to familiarize themselves with the student body or class that he or she they will be questioning, and allow all students the same amount of wait time before answering a students first response. Secondly, I would ask them to consider using more open questioning than closed, and to use the practices of redirection and probing when trying to achieve a correct student response. Lastly, I would suggest that they know the answer to all questions before they are asked, and to give reinforcement and prsise in small doses when well deserved.
The students progress and their learning ability are our only goals.
Bobby Falite
JAMEL,
Presentations should be a part of all college classes.
Judy Mohammed
I have mentored many instructors and I discuss the importance of being ready with multiple questions to ask the students during Lectures. There should be Open-Ended questions that compel the student to think about the situation. The questions should be clearly stated and relevant to the current topic. There also should be some questions that will stimulate a great discussion to include all of the students in the class where there are no wrong answers.
Thank you for your time.
