We do take advantage of the new technology and use overhead projectors, power point presentations in the classroom but when it comes to math - finance and lease calculations, we prefer to use the white board with markers. Is it OK to be old school when it’s effective?
We use power point presentation in the classrooms. PP presentations not only keep the instructors organized, they also cater to all senses in the process of learning. But when it comes to finance and math we still find the good old white board more useful and effective.
Hi Vivian:
Good. Sounds like you're involving multiple senses where the students in ot relying on just one or two methods of input. Hands on always assists with learning too.
Regards, Barry
Hi Judy:
Good variety of media choices. Mixing it up and involving students in the presentation and delivery help retention of information too.
Regards, Barry
My main reasons for selecting a particular form of media in my classes is function. I base it on the content I will teach and how well it will work with that content.
In addition, I think about it as a student and try to find something that can be mixed media for a student. I often use power points in classes where the language is advanced, so that they can read the words and also listen to an explanation. More hands on methods are used in other courses.
I use diverse forms of media in my classroom in an effort to accommodate the different learning styles. I have a bulletin board on which I post my daily course outline, the directions for my projects and presentations, and my homework assignments. These are convenient when I discuss the students' progress in the classes with them. Each lecture is accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation that is posted on their online student portals. I use the whiteboard to demonstrate specific points made in the class. Since my discussion is about society, I show films that accentuate my topics.
I like to make sure I have a variety of media to keep things interesting and to address the various learning styles
Hi David:
Yeah, it's been said that many students attention span is limited to 12-15 minutes. To whatever degree that is true, it seems vital that we break up the course work into sizable portions that can be swallowed and digested in memorable pieces. And as you say, eyeball-to-eyeball contact will command attention.
Regards, Barry
I choose material that will complement my style of teaching and also convey the importance of the techniques that we use without, being too long winded or drawn out. It is easier to loose the students attention when they are not looking at you.
Hi Barry:
Boy, it's true the "younger" generation is more attuned to computer, the internet, and by extension, online anything. So it only follows that instruction can be effectively delivered when constructed properly.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cynthia:
The technique you describe is great. It probably would be used more often it it weren't that there is not alsways a good match of video/DVD material that closely matches the lecture material. We're in a age thats accustomed to video's. Students will relate to what they';re familiar with.
Regards, Barry
Hi Brian:
You are on the right track with learn by doing. That's how people remember things. If you get them involved, they'll remember.
Regards, Barry
The most important factor, in my opinion, in selecting media is student response. While the instructors familiarity with the format and its operation is a important, what is more important is how the students will respond, their retention and the specific and general (soft) skills aquired.
I am a firm believer in online education for this reason. I believe that most younger students, will, when properly motivated, have a lower time requirement for skill acquisition in using computers then in live learning, because of the way young students are using the computer and the Internet. An example is Music. Many students are going to youtube.com to get instruction to learn to play new musical instruments rather then taking live lessions and there are hundreds, if not thousands of these lessons online.
I use media to suplement the class content. For example I will use a video that discussed the same topics that I lectured on. I find that this gives the students another way to hear what was discussed or see something play out with visuals (in the video).
I utilize a varied method depending upon the maturity level of the students. I find that most will "Learn by doing." Often times this may be uncomfortable for them, however, when they see colleagues assisting them learning outcomes they are more self assured in the process.
Hi Paul:
Good point. Walking around avoids the sense of a static presentation. You probably also get a better sense of how the students are receiving your lesson and comments.
Ease of use and ease of presentation are probably my top 2 criteria. I like using PowerPoints when needed in class because it lets me roam the room instead of being stuck at the board. It helps that I have a mouse that controls the PP too.
Hi Bennett:
Yeah, that "Aha" is more likey to appear the more invovement and sensory stimulus is provided because they all contribute to direct or latent memory and information retention.
Regards, Barry
Variety helps keep attention to the material being presented. Show and tell, touch, feel, smell, group presentations, drawing and singing all help the studnets retain the material for the "aha" moment to occur.
Hi Thomas:
You've touched on an important point. Better learning will occur when the student is actively involved in it's delivery, however that is provided to them. The worst would be the "taliking head just spewing out information" with the students taking notes. How boring. I know I wouldn't want to come back to school day after day if that was the way instruction occured.
Regards, Barry
