Ah-ha moments for students
We all have "ah-ha" moments in life. They may come when we least expect it. When a guest speaker is brought in to class or the class takes a trip to see their field in action it can bring on "ah-ha" moments for the students. When they see someone that is doing what they want to do or witness what they hope to do it can help them dream a little bit about how they are going to be when they enter their field. Field trips and guest speakers really help in opening the students mind in a different way then just hearing a lecture. A guest speaker may only get through to one student but it may be enough to change that person's future!
Hi Jim:
Most would agree with your style of teaching as the best - it incorporates a variety of methods to reach as many learning styles that we have.
Regards, Barry
Hi Deborah:
In addition, most instructors would probably agree that these moments can be one of the most rewarding feelings we feel when a student demonstrates they received knowledge from you.
Regards, Barry
i guess that's what i live for, is to see the lights go on in the student's eyes.
Hi Robin:
Aha moments are arguably one of the most rewarding things to happen in the classroom for both the student and instructor.
For the instructor, it offers the reward of achieving the goal of imparting information successfully to the student.
Regards, Barry
Hi Mark:
In addition, these aha moments are often redefining moments for the student. They become more motivated about the topic, and we can see that in assessment outcomes, and general demeanor.
Regards, Barry
I usually use teaching methods that are appropriate for auditory learners first. Then I look for the aaaHaa's. Then I move on to the visual learners...watch for the ahhHaas. And then I pull out all the stops and move on to the kinesthetic learner appropriate methods...ok, hands-on methods....and watch for these ahhHaa's. Then I have a better understanding of my students.
At the end of the course, I have my students tell me at least one "Aha" they had. I am surprised by these "Aha's". Sometimes things I don't think were really relevant become very important to the students. These times teach me a lot about what is and isn't important to the students.
If we as instructors could remember all the "ah-ha" moments we had, going through maybe the same training our students are encountering right now...it would be wonderful! I hope that the students that cross my path, could take with them the same experience I had when I was where they are today, and never forget it, because those times changed my life!
Hi Hoang:
I think Ah-Ha moments happen all the time. They may not giants leaps of intergalactic understanding, but simple comprehension of a troubling point or problem that is suddenly veiwed clearly - these are the moment by moment Ah-ha's that make for great student staisfaction.
Regards, Barry
having the ability to realize when you can create an aha moment is wonderful. I have students that sometimes just dont get why they are doing what they are doin... they just are conecting the dots. Then I work next to them and ask q's to promote them discovering on thir own
When students get to meet a guest speaker in their field it help them visualize their future.
Hi Michael:
Good thoughts, although I think usually more than one student gets inspired bu good guest speakers or field trips (I understand your meaning though).
I think the Ah-ha moment reinforces the enthusiasm teachers receive from teaching in the first place. It's like a feeding, driving them to want to do more for their students.
And, as you point out, a student sees another perform and they want to to emulate that person (in my case that happens in hospitals during clinical rotations), an impression has been mdae that's almost indelible for the student. What a nice Ah-ha.
Regards, Barry
