Read, Reflect, Display, Do.
Discuss an active learning strategy you use and note whether it is a reading, reflective writing, displaying or doing strategy.
Hello Harold,
You made a valid point. Real life examples are a great way to open up the dialogue amongst the students. I would start the conversation about my self and a real life examples on the job. Doing this brings out the best in the student ability to communicate with peers/instructor.
Ms. Osuna
Online Faculty
Hello Jocelyn,
Great post! I absolutely agree with you about the discussion boards. I find that when you incorporate videos, and animated items the students are more engaged with the topic.
Marie Osuna
Online Faculty
Hello Renee,
I would encourage reading and reflective writing. I would have a group discussion where the students would watch a You Tube video of a speech and ask a series of questions based on the presenter. I find that students’ enjoy the discussion and actively participate. I would also participate and engage with the students by asking them critical thinking questions so they can think outside the box.
Marie Osuna
Online Faculty
Beth, I like reflective writing as well because it involves an exploration and explanation of an event. I tell my students that it may feel particularly difficult and more challenging than other forms of academic writing as it involves thinking and writing about anxieties and errors as well as successes in their interactions with an individual or when carrying out a practical task. :-)
Tomi, I think reflective writing is a great way to engage students. When I do it in my classes, I often times tell my student to try to stand back from the situation and be as objective as possible. I tell them that although they are writing about their own experiences and feelings, they need to be as rigorous and thorough as they would be for any other assignment. :-)
I actually use several, but I will only discuss a few here.
I allow students opportunities to independently read selections of their own choosing. Independent reading is an important way for students to broaden the scope of their background knowledge. This is obviously a reading strategy.
I ask the entire class an interesting general question that relates to the topic under study. Have them write notes about how they will respond. Discuss the question once most of the students have had a chance to respond. Allowing students to write their answers before they discuss encourages participation. This is reflective.
As soon as I have discussed a general question as a whole group, have students then jot down what they heard that they agree with, disagree with, or that gave them a new idea. This is reflective.
Unfortunately, I could not think of anything that would be displaying or doing! :-(
You can try and use real life examples to better the learning environment for the student
I try to utilize real-world - work experiences. I believe that this is not only more realistic for the students but it is also preparing them for their careers.
Jocelyn,
Great work. Remember that you need to offer a written transcript or closed captioning for all of your animations and videos to meet students with disabilities.
Renee Shaffer
Hi -
On discussion boards students use reading. I strive to incorporate videos, animated items related to the topic of the discussion board and to ask probing questions to engage the students further into the material. Students are encouraged to share their personal experiences particularly if they work in the field and I share my own experiences.
As I do this, I keep in mind the overall goal of the lesson and work to direct the students to realize this goals.
Jocelyn Williamson
Mark,
Yes, I like that periodic pauses strategy. Though this morning in class, my class seemed a bit nervous about it!
Renee Shaffer
One of the active learning strategies mentioned is the use of "periodic pauses", in which the teacher can pose a question for the group. In one of my on-line classrooms, we have a Discussion Board with a topic posted; a standard interactive topic such as "Discuss 3 ideas that you may have for the final essay." By offering choices, I give the students the opportunity to think critically and with variety.
I then make sure to reply to each of the initial posts with suggestions on which of the possibilities I would consider most relevant for the project and/or ask questions about their choices.
One of the techniques we use is for the students to review a video on strategy prior to class and then reflect on it relation to past course content
Feel free to use my idea.
I don't have much software available in the classroom, so I just let the students use PowerPoint or anything else they knew how to use.
Some students used clip art, etc.
Using one of the animation programs would be wonderful.
Janis
Janis,
What a wonderful idea! Did you have them use TooDoo or similar software? I love this idea and will add it to my toolkit if that is alright with you.
Renee Shaffer
I teach basic math. Many adults do not know how to round numbers, whether is be whole numbers of decimals.
After we discussed the concepts, I had them create a PowerPoint presentation or a Cartoon Strip to explain how to round to students who would be taking the class the following quarter.
The results were excellent. As they "tried out" their instructions, we were able to point out where the instructions could be interpreted in more than one way. This helped them narrow down the instructions so they were clear, concise and accurate.
In financial accounting I have the student groups choose a corporation they find interesting. The review the annual report, apply the financial ratios and interpret the results comparing the company to the industry average. They also explain trend fluctuation to determine if the financial position is becoming stronger or weaker. I have them do this at the beginning of the course and again at the end and then ask each person to write a short reflection on how their analytical skills changed over the term. I find this to be an effective active learning tool.
Sarah,
I too find that real life scenarios work well in classes. It makes the learning materials relevant to them.
Renee Shaffer
Fonzette,
Oh, I like the idea of having them ask things in a logical order. Very nice!
Renee Shaffer
