Michael,
The more application of new knowledge and tie into relevancy the greater the content retention is going to be. Good comments about the value of using both relevance and application in the teaching process.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Shawn,
It sure does. What have you found to be effective in helping your students in this area?
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I feel that it is very important to touch on each of the learning styles. I try to bring as much of variety into the classroom. Lecture is NOT the only teaching method used. I try to bring in fun activities, games, hands-on applications and etc...This has proven to be successful for all of my students!
You can help students retain and apply new information by giving them real-life scenarios that require the application of the learned concepts to solve. Many times they can recall how they solved a particular problem which helps them to retain the new information.
New knowledge requires adding memory of new thought processes
Barbara,
Good way to show your students the course requirements through the syllabus in concert with the flow of the course content. This way they can refer to the syllabus for information and feel comfortable knowing they are on target for completion.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I set up the syllabus so that the out-of-class assignments largely line up with the content of the class. In one class, which is something like a long case study, the students are working on preparing a part of the "case" at roughly the same time they are studying the applicable rules of procedure in class. I also try to integrate on-line research with substantive content, e.g., "Use the Internet to find the rule that applies to this part of the process."
Darlene,
Good for you in relation to helping the students apply their new knowledge to their lives. This helps them to "connect the dots" between the classroom and the real world. These types of connections reinforces content and helps them to see that they are making progress toward their career goals.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I think it is very important that students apply the new information that they have learnt. Being in the culinary field I tell the students to make sure that they practice all the new techniques that they have learnt. This has a profound impact on the student because they have practiced it in class, tried it themselves, and I am not able to do it at home.
By making it personal to their everyday lives. During discussions, I try to encourage students to give examples of what they are sharing...examples from their life. These times have been the most productive for the students and it really makes for a lively discussion.
Edward,
Good strategy. The immediate use of newly acquired knowledge is so important for memory retention. The more application students can make the higher the retention is going to be.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I go from lecture to lab so that the student can apply as soon as possible.
In order to help students retain and apply new information the instructor should make it clear at the beginning of the class what the goals and objectives are, and how their progress will be measured.
Using objective and subjective test is only going to be beneficial if the student has the desire to succeed. The instructor is responsible for providing new and varied methods of delivery of the information; repetition in various forms is the key to learning.
A way that we help students retain and apply new information is by giving handouts that pertain to new information. Also students are quizzed and given exams at the end of each week
Whenever I introduce a new topic I first like to find out the students' background and experience with the subject matter and have them share those experiences. Oftentimes, students relate an experience that applies to the particular matter that others may not have connected but may also have experienced. In this way a greater part of the class is starting out with some background experience. With that experience comes value and it's far easier to apply something when you understand it's value and place in your life.
Utilize hands on drills, also reinforce with scenarios and improvisation techniques.
Within the medical field we practice and practice new skill sets through out the term until students can do the still sets without thinking. They students are reviewed these skill sets in other couses as well.
I am a firm believer in theory followed by clinical practice. My students are not going to grasp the full effect until they "try it out." I attempt to make the learning environment a fun one, using several different approaches to the same lesson. This tends to help students learn and keeps me up to date on my material.
Elizabeth,
I use a lot of case studies in my classes as well. My students really get involved in trying to solve the problems that are presented in the case studies which helps them when they step into their real world careers.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
In the medical feild we use testing anc compancies.
