Selecting media for your classes
The first reason for most would be convience, but a close secone would have to be what method intrest the instructor. If we can not become intrested in the delivery method then how can we expect the student to stay interested.
Wenda,
Right! We always have to consider our audience, their preparation and prior knowledge, abilities, and interests. Resources are only helpful if they contribute to improved learning.
Barry Westling
I think there are two questions to ask when selecting a particular form of classroom media.
1)Can it help the students learn and get a greater understanding of the material? 2)Does it fit my personality and teaching style?
If they are learning and I can be "my teaching self," then I think the media will be helpful and not harmful (not causing trouble and leading to confusion).
Makila,
Goo - especially the moving back and forth between PPT and... whatever: discussion, illustrations, case study, written activity or exercise, demonstration. I think PPT slides work best for me when I can create my own, then have each slide more of a shorter, bullet-style outline of main points that allow me to elaborate or ampflify. I feel that's what I'm there for - to expand on the basic information (vs. putting it all into the PPT).
Regards, Barry
I tend to use PowerPoint because the print is clear and easy for students to understand. Also, I can move back and forth through presentations easier & they can see the benefits of using PowerPoint in their future presenations.
Hi Albert:
Good approach. Some say that a lesson shold be transitioned every 20 minutes. In some heavy didactic classes that's just about impossible. But if possible, breaking up the lesson with different activities enhances learning.
Regards, Barry
I tend to use at least 2 different forms of media inorder to add some variety to the presentations.
it depends on the class. hands on manipulitive work well for those students that struggle. too much video stimulation can be distracting for some. i like to ues media that i have control over thereby determining the pace.
Hi Michael:
One idea when selecting course material and media is to try employ as many teaching styles as we can in order to address as many learning styles as possible. Selecting material and presenting it in a visual, audio, and kinesthetic way is generally considered the most efficient method of delivery.
Regards, Barry
Hi Erica:
Terrific! Both of the tools are effective and I think allow an active teacher to engage student by involving them with questions, asking their opininon, and expressing our lesson message with lots of activity and energy. Upbeat is better than deadbeat!
Regards, Barry
I select media based on the type of learner in my class, and the material to be conveyed. My top 2 are demonstrations, and the white board.
I notice that the white board has been very effective. Everyday I write goals and announcements on the board and I find the students striving for the goals. It is a great source of motovation!
Based on the topic I'am teaching particularly
in the design drafting field I find well developed power points and actual models of objects, along with no frills handouts work well.
I try to mix the type of media that I use so that students dont get bored.
Hi Gordon:
The more media and the more varied it's introduced will keep students attention and help retain more information.
Regards, Barry
Hi Richard:
Great points all. There really are better and lesser ways to use these instructional tools appropriately. Thanks for the augumentation comments.
Regards, Barry
I use PowerPoints, whiteboards and videos within classes to augment my teaching. However, I do see a lot of "death by powerpoint" by faculty. One of the biggest complaint I hear from students about certain faculty is that they read from the powerpoints. At a glance, I can tell whether that faculty member is using the textbook-provided slides verbatim without changes. First, I find very few textbook companies produce "A" level slides. Perhaps 1 in 20 actually have quality slide decks. Second, the slides are not designed to the learning objectives for a teacher's class or to their teaching style. So, I believe it's best for people to create their own slidedecks and then augment with quality slides from textbook providers. In the business curriculum, I will frequently pull charts and graphs from the textbook decks, but build the rest of the slides utilizing my own approach. One other thing I recommend is keep your slide text even shorter than the 3-5 points per slide. If you are presenting 5 major points per slide, you have not demonstrated any examples or illustrations. I would recommend reviewing major points and adding case studies, examples, illustrations, etc. as a way to separate the major points. Hope that helps. Good luck everyone!
Clarification of subjects is my goal. I try to use as many types of media as possible.. for instance, all of the quizes are on power point slides, i also use the drop in answers so i can ask tghe students the questions first..then i drop the answer in. Alot of the material we teach is referenced, so i will ask them for the references before I put the answers in.
Hi Robert:
I think flipcharts, to intiate discussion, which can then be elaborated on is a terrific idea. Large, poster size post-it flip chart notes can be saved and used in future classes too, added to, or supplemented with other ideas and included in discussions.
Regards, Barry
Flipcharts are used to help with brainstorming. It provides a starting point for their ideas, and direction on how to process them.
Hi Gingi:
Good point. Think about our students - "how best can I convey today's lesson".
Regads, Barry
