Emily,
Good way to increase reflection on answers as well. The pause has everyone working through their memories seeking to find the answer to the question that has been asked. They know that with this technique everyone has an opportunity to answer rather than the person that is quickest with a response.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
It is vital to understand the way in which the students learn. After the first lecture, I give an assessment quiz utilizing many different forms of questions to help determine the ways in which they retain information. In the health field we often use Semantic memory. We arrange long lists of words in a way that the first letter of each word also phonetically spells out a catchy phrase. It works well.
Understanding that students have multiple intelligences really helps me plan my lectures. I try to alleal to all of the different intelligences so my students will succeed.
I find it easy to do so. You get a feel for the students in your classroom and use each students stengths to keep the discussion topic going. I find that having students re-call information from thier expierences helps to understand what is being taught. For example, I will ask them to remember how it felt to smell Grandmas cooking, what was it that helped them to remember all the details about how it smelled, looked, tasted. I encourage them to bring that feeling when learning about new foods and cooking them as well.
I share with them that cooking and eating are one of the only activities we do as humans that we do use all of our five senses at the same time.
Once they understand that then cooking takes on a whole new meaning.
This in most all cases sparks something new in each student and the class enviorment takes on a whole new dynamic.
Yes, I am using strategy to keep my students focus for a three hour class.
Knowing and understanding how I learn helps me as an instructor recognize in which method the student learns. If the student learns best by application then I can focus on his/her learning in that method.
Understanding the human brain and how it functions can help the instructor to develop and diversify their teaching styles. The human brain needs time to process information in order to fully comprehend the information. I use this understanding to adapt my instructional strategy in the following way. When I ask questions during class I will pause for 10 seconds before calling on a student, allowing them time to process the question and formulate an answer. I do not call on the first hand that comes up, but wait patiently for more students to develop a response. It is hard sometimes to control the outburst answers from those eagar students who want to answer the question before you finish asking it. I handle those situations with strong classroom management, to better control the outbursts.
Understanding how each student's learning style allows the instructor to target that student's needs. The student will advance faster giving self worth and confidence. This is great one on one. When I am teaching a group I teach to all types of learning. Asking a student what type of learner they are can be helpfull.
David,
For sure. This is the only way you will be able to keep them engaged for the duration of the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Sherri,
Thank you for the kind words about the strategies for helping students retain the content. The more we can connect the dots for students the easier it is for them to store the content in their minds and then recall it when needed. Have fun with your examples and activities.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Knowing that different people learn differently will help me to adapt my teaching to the individual. Whether it is hands on or by mentally challenging them if I find that one way isn't reaching them I need to try another.
Humor helps them retain. Positive feedback is always helpful.
I will try to include story with each class of which they can relate.
All the students have the same career goal so having them work together to learn new skills is a good way of reinforcing what they have leaned.
You have to understand the students needs every day because of how they feel or how there day is going. By mood or emotionally
You have to re-adapt every day to keep the students interest.
Even adapting to a students needs you have to adapt new ideals everyday.
I always look for cues on learning styles from my students. The visual learners are taking notes, the audio learners are following every word and the kinetic learners are trying to sit still--lol!! I've been trying not to "overlecture" or as I now know, too many cars entering the freeway and not enough exiting. BTW--I really like that anaology!!
What I'm learning from this leasson is to create an episodic experience to the items that I really want the students to remember.
i can get the students to learn and retain more information easier and we will have more fun learning
Sherri,
Good strategy for a course like Quickbooks. These types of courses can be challenges but creative instructors like yourself find ways to engage students no matter the content. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I find the three filters interesting. I will be mindful in lesson prep to have my students "develop a relationship with the material" In Business Law, we did mock court, and the students loved it. However, some classes do not always lend themselves to that kind of activity. For example, Quickbooks is what it is--so I will make sure students aren't generalizing and they can see how this skill is applicable in the business world.
Melonie,
Glad to hear that you are enjoying working through this course. You are right on target with your strategies and learning supports. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Well, so far what I have read is reaffirming to me of what I already know. I also realize all the time what great examples I had at the college I attended!
One example of how I implement learning out on the field....I have the student's review and quiz on a subject that they will be applying immediately and regularly. I realize that one time of review and quiz is not enough. I have found that repeating the quizzes,applications and f/u discussions on the topic throughout the term has helped them.
Helped them to realize the importance of a "need to know" plus the "affective" aspects of the subject along with ST and LT memory retention. I know that repetition (of semantic learning) helps things to "stick" as well as the application of learning (psychomotor and episodic!) Am enjoying the course so far!
