Students love he games It is exciting and beneficial to the students
They love the incentives ie cany stickers etc..
Very motivational
While always looking for fun ways to engage the students, I found the Football Game to be the best of the ideas...It requires the students to study and retain information, but in a fun way. I have also used the game Jepordary where they have to answer in the form of a question, and "family feud" where the students will think of questions for the opposing team. The students see it as a break from studying, but are still studying!
I agree..I have some students who are perfectly content to sit and be lectured to, and would be ok with that...but it is nice for the visual and auditory learners to have a chance to thrive...and everyone appreciates something different now and then.
How to you do the National Enquirer Headline? This sounds like something my class would like.
My experience is that students overall like the different activities to learning in the classroom. The visual, auditory learners specifically like this type of non-lecture activity. But the learners who typically learn from the lecture method also enjoy something different in the classroom.
Mary,building memory is the key to successful learning.
Michele Deck
Lori, once you try a new teahcing idea and it works, it is a good one to repeat.
Michele Deck
really good they remeber situations easily and answear fast to my questions
I'm new at this so I haven't used activities like this much - that's why I'm taking this course. I have, however, had students write down review questions from the lecture for us to go over the following day. It got a very good response and I'm planning to use it again.
I'm very excited about the new ideas presented in this lesson and will be implementing them soon.
Scott, you are using hands on methods to supplement your " traditional methods" and that variety makes it effective teaching.
Michele Deck
The most important component necessary to be successful in any healthcare career is effectively learning the “medical languageâ€. Throughout my teaching career, I realized that the students could not excel in their program if they lack the understanding of medical terminology. Programs often times move rather quickly, therefore not allowing the students to learn, retain, and apply medical terminology. While I am still very traditional in terms of learning terminology, I do find value in some teaching techniques. What I mean by traditional is that I still think the best way to learn terms is through memorization. Just as I learned my multiplication tables with flash cards, I still believe the flash cards are the best way to learn medical terms. Is it fun? Not really, but the important part of education seldomly are. I have tried games in the past and found only little value. I am a very structured instructor and even so find these activities often time become a distraction. I have even had student complain to my superiors, stating that they come to class to “learn†not play games. With that stated I do find some class activities valuable, but my traditional mind set is focused around a “traditional classâ€. Without sounding too harsh, games can sometimes seem a little juvenile. I have been the director of my department now for a number of years and I have instructors that have a very difficult time with managing these games and their intended focus. Granted that is a whole other issue.
So the real discussion is in regard to what works when teaching medical terminology?
I do use cartoons to help explain medical terms. When lecturing students on the various terms of medical terminology, I use cartoons detailing the body parts that we are talking about to help them have a relation. It is important to keep the cartoons from being too stodgy. Instead, use humor to explain not only the meaning of the medical term but its Latin or Greek roots as well. As a way to engage the class even more, instruct them to create their own cartoons using the terminology they pick up from your lectures by placing them correctly on their cartoon.
I always use props. Using a dummy or some other type of prop, I have students find the body part that corresponds with a medical term that you choose. From there, have your students give the root word for the term. This will provide a literal hands-on experience for the students, one that will allow them to learn these terms by actively seeking them out on a mannequin. I give hints by using other medical terms, such as proximal, distal, etc.
I have already mentioned this but flashcards are still the best way to learn these terms. They may seem like a simple way to learn, but it is effective. On one side of the card, write in the medical term you wish your student to learn. On the back, place the medical definition and Latin or Greek root word. Have your student define the word shown on the back of the flashcard. Students can take their flashcards home with them to study outside of class.
Retention is a great point. If students are successful in classes, they are more likely to continue in school. Utilizing games for class is a help in both areas! If the class is fun, students are more motivated to attend.
Most learners like class to be "mixed up" with lecture and/or activity. Very few students in my particular program complain when activities are involved. We have implemented Turning Point, so that sutdents can have anonymity when answering questions, which they LOVE.
Sue, I agree. If everyone is involved, more learning occurs.
Michele Deck
Students really do respond to activities in a classroom as long as they are meaningful to the course. The suggestions given in this module are terrific examples of class activities. I think the key is to make sure all the students "buy in" to the idea that everyone will be involved by participating.
I use games such as jeporady for review. I will certainly try those such as secret identity, baseball and ball toss
Ben,they do make a great vehicle for review at the end of a semester.
Michele Deck
The students appreciate them but only in moderation. Some students appreciate them more then others, with the majority only tolerating the occasional activity. Try to incorporate them more at the end of a semester in review classes.
Christopher, I'm glad this is a strategy you like and will use.
Michele Deck
Next class period I am going to do the secret identity exercise and/or the relay race. found them both fun
