Hi Barbara:
Yes, there are a multitude of resouces available and as best as we can we should choosing the delivery methods that best meet our students learning styles to assist them in relating to the material being covered.
I think it's also good for students to stretch by being exposed to newer or different learning methods they may not be accustomed to - this is part of the learning process too.
Regards, Barry
Our students need multiple learning options as they come from such a diverse backgrounds.They prefer hands on instruction and generally can get bored and distracted easily so it helps to give a variety of ways to process information. In this technical age they are accustomed to recieving information using computers screens at a fast pace. It is critical that the instructor is very comfortable with the media choice or students will not keep focused and teacher may lose credibility. Older student often prefer a slower method and seem to prefer hand outs and blackboards or methods they had in school.The variety of students is one of the major challenges in my experience but is part of the fun too.
Hi James:
All media has its benefits (and down sides). Obviously, some media is better suited for certain types of learning or lesson delivery. Above all, we want to be sure we are choosing the methods that get our message across the best. Sometimes that means trying different things - even if just to experiement to see if something works better in in a given situation or teaching moment.
Regards, Barry
I normally will sick with pwr ptt, however sometimes additional drawings are required to clearify a point.
Hi Luke:
I really like the flip cahrt, and relied on it heavily in days past before the electronic media became so abundant. I agree there are features and attributes a flip chart offers that is not duplicated by other types of media.
Regards, Barry
Indeed this choice is very easy for me in my classroom environment. I do not have tv monitors or electronic media projectors in the lab. I use what I call the 'analog powerpoint'. It is a paper flipchart of differing outcomes and lecture topics I utilize during class. I like the used of this drawing session to illustrate the points I want to convey to the students. Realizing that students engage and retain information in various ways, I can draw schematics in a methodical way during their attention span, along with following information that the use of a digital powerpoint does not allow. Also, the mobility of my trusty tripod setup allows me to relocate the media topics to any area of the lab when necessary. Combined with the traditional whiteboard, these media deliverance devices meet the needs of me, and my students.
Hi Earl:
PPT does provide quite a unique medium for instructors to use. Microsoft has done a great job of providing a product that truly contributes positively to the learner. I've found PPT can be less than effective when there are formatting errors, excessive reliance on it, or substitution for more effective learning methods are chosen.
Regards, Barry
I have become quite attached to Powerpoint recently. I find that it can deliver information in a more asthetic, intriguing way as compared to handouts, pure lecture, or simply writing items on the board. People are able to copy items down, I can lecture further on the information, and it enables me to provide pictures and examples to discuss. I also still find it effective to write on the whiteboard, in particular when we are having a class discussion. This way, it feels more dramatic and keeps the students in the moment. Of course, handouts are still great to send information home for further review.
Hi Lawrence:
You're right - most topics have 1-2 prefered methods that probably are better choices for selected topics. I sit in on my peer colleagues and get ideas too. "Hey, I never thought of doing that, or using that example, etc.) It's always a great experience.
Regards, Barry
Hi Judith:
Great! Student focused is directed to the specific cohort of student a teacher has at present. This allows the choice of media to fill the need.
Regards, Barry
Certain media are more effective for a specific purpose. For example powerpoint afe more effctive for lecture material. DVD or video are better for or in place of a cooking demo. And personal travel photos are better for gaining credibility are far as say intro to International Cuisine.
I choose specific media source that will the student focused and interested as well as thought provoking.
Hi Stephen:
You're right, many students are visual learners, and most people seem to retain information if, at least in part, it's presented visually. Obviously some skill tasks cannot be "visually illustrated". Also, some students will fully comprehend a topic if it's presented only by visual methods. Thats where we as instructors have the opprtunity to put on our creative hats!
Regards, Barry
To help engage the students as well as to teach using visual aids. It is proven that learning is 85% visual and this is a great medium for teaching.
Hi Eric:
It sounds like you've a couple of good ideas from experienced teaching. I think students will always opt for the easier way if given the chance.
Regards, Barry
It depends on what I am teaching for the day/class subject. When using the dry erase board I only use bullets. I find writing the material ahead of time takes away the classroom's attention as they are trying to write everything down instead of listening to me. In the kitchens using the flip charts are invaluable to helping keep them foucus and on point to the tasks for the day.
Hi Ward:
Good ideas. I think the more appropriate media choices an instructor can integrate into their lesson plans the more meaningful and helpful the lesson will be to the student.
Regards, Barry
I try not to select any particular one but redeliver the information over many different methods. I seem to get better results when I go over the material with power points, reading, hands on, lecture and research assignments.
Hi Timothy:
I think students students like the kind iof variety you're descrtibing here. It requires them to use different kinds of thinking, and the presentation and delivery breaks any potential monotony. Good deal!
Regards, Barry
I like to choose several different types to shake things up and engage the class. I use PowerPoint presentations, overheads, and whiteboards. I find it is easier to present equations on the whiteboard and text with pictures on PowerPoint. I also teach how to manipulate graphs and I find the overhead projector used with the whiteboard to be the best combination. All of these types of media keeps the student with me because we are using the same material in the classroom.
