Instructional Delivery Methods
What 2 instructional delivery methods are you most successful with, enjoy the most and why?
What 2 instructional delivery methods are you least successful with, enjoy the least and why?
Hi Dave:
If we look at this a bit differently, such as from the basic learning styles of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, it becomes apparent that everyone learns by all of these methods. What is known is that some learn with one or more being more prominent or dominant
Actually, teaching others is the best way to learn a topic, so I would say however we can get students engaged in teaching-like activities such as leading group discussion, critiquing each others written work, or class presentations, the students will probably retain more of the needed information.
Regards, Barry
Hi Dave:
If we look at this a bit differently, such as from the basic learning styles of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, it becomes apparent that everyone learns by all of these methods. What is known is that some learn with one or more being more prominent or dominant
Actually, teaching others is the best way to learn a topic, so I would say however we can get students engaged in teaching-like activities such as leading group discussion, critiquing each others written work, or class presentations, the students will probably retain more of the needed information.
Regards, Barry
I think the 2 most successful delivery methods are hands on and demonstration. It seems to be easier and more exciting for the students.
The 2 least successful I think are lecture and reading assignments. Students seem to become board with this style of learning.
I try to embellish the powerpoint slides with lines and different drawings so it is more informative, I will relate industry experiences to the lessons.
These are both items I am comfortable with. I am least successful with large classes in lab because it is very difficult to supervise 30+ students working in 8 areas or more at the same time.
Hi Milton:
Great. We need to be able to keep students attention. Most people have only a 20-30 minute attention span that needs a change up if the same material is going to be continued. Good change-ups are change of media, go into discussion or Q&A, read from the book, have a student explain a point, etc.
Regards, Barry
What i like best is. Ask questions,have student involved ask for feedback on why they gave that answer. 2. Show and tell let them see what happens and why it worked or not. Least. Slide prensation that does not flow... Haveing an section that reqires you to give a long lecture.
Hi Peter:
Right - we want to try and involve every student. There will be "answer hogs" if we're not careful in our methods of soliciting answers from the class. Other methods include alphabetically, assigned number, and random number.
Another method I call "segmental discussion" involves the first student answering the first part of a question, then I go to the next and ask, "why", then to the another and ask "why" to the second responder, and so on. This helps engage all and gives an opportunity for the brighter students to share more about what they know about the topic.
Regards, Barry
I've had good luck with review if I go around the room,or random order.That way the students don't know who is next.If it just a plain Q&A,usually the same person or people will volunteer an answer,and the majority are silent.
Hi Michael:
All interesting points. I think your PPT with errors has to be the most annoying to anyone who cares about what is being presented. It shows more attention to the detail and perhaps preparation are needed. As instructors, these things stand out perhaps more that they do to students.
Regards, Barry
Most successful with
1.Sharing my field experiences that fit the topic areas. I share both my successes and failures with the class via storytelling of the event in words, images, and sounds often by improvisation or embellishment.
2.Using the white board to supplement my presentations.
Least successful with
1.Using a standardized PowerPoint that has errors, is out of date, and jumps around instead of flowing
2.Group discussions. Can be difficult to control and can get off track real easy.
Hi Anthony:
Great! I think if students (people) feel that their instructor truly cares and want to see them succeed, that sentiment will go a lot farther than forcing material to students, which is essentially the point you made.
Regards, Barry
The most success I have is being firm but fair with humor also keeping the students engaged. The least method is being militant.
Hi James:
Great post. I think you've captured the essence of what many if not not most good instructors experience. Thanks!
Regards, Barry
I don't like/dislike any delivery method more or less than the other, it depends on what you are teaching and to whom! very technical materiel needs to be broken up and is best delivered using multiple methods; i.e., visually (power point), audible (lecture), and hands on lab. I guess my favorite then just the imparting of knowledge to the student and least favorite is when you have tried everything and the student just does'nt get it. That is the challenge to us all.
Hi Jim:
Good thoughts. Engaging a student in discussion is a great way to stimulate critical thinking. Depending how it's framed, it can be fun and enjoyable too. Thanks for sharing.
Regards, Barry
Hi Peter:
Yes, we all might have access to a variety of resources and instructional tools, but they require a successful "driver behind the wheel" for effective instruction to occur.
Regards, Barry
Successful
One of the best delivery methods that works for me is open ended questions with directed responses from selected students, and each student is aware that they may be the next person called on. This keeps them attentive and participating in the learning exercise.
A second is letting a student explain to the class a certain topic, as they say when you teach you learn the most, and it gives the other student a change of state. It is amazing what we can learn from our students.....
Less successful"
1. Powerpoint that is just a slide show, no interaction points. Very boring
2. Straight lecture with no interaction with the students. Doing this it is hard to tell if they understand the material.
Hi Leonardo:
Good thoughts. I've found there may be a glare that's distracting, even disturbing to some student if they're getting the full blast of the LCD projector glare. But the conceot is great.
Regards, Barry
Text books, video, power point, handouts are useful media but need the management of an instructor to be successful.Instructors can utililize these tools to stress the point of the lesson.
