Hands on learning
I find that hands on or tactile learning works the best for most students. Using a blended learning environment we introduce a new subject during a lecture then learn while Appling that knowledge hands on and review with a PowerPoint presentation.
Hi Sheila:
Practice and repetition are essential training techniques for medical skills, and really, most any skill. Hands on demonstrations can help, but at some point there has to be that doing it for real that has to come. And it has to be preceded by practice.
Regards, Barry
I think it is crucial in the medical field that students have a chance to not only see how equipment is used but to get the opportunity to try it out for themselves. This also allows them to troubleshoot in a safe environment not when they are at the patient's bedside.
Hi Brian:
I think the kinesthetic (tactile) learner benefits from hands on lessons, skill development, demonstration, assembly, etc. All students prbably have some trait of all the learning types, but one is probably more dominant.
Regards, Barry
Hands on learners are visual learners and I always try to build on a previous lesson from my class or another instructor's class to connect them.
Hi Priscilla:
Great! Mixing up PPT and other media choices will make for a more interesting class and perhaps better retention of needed information by the students.
Regards, Bary
i would agree...even if i use a pp presentation if i follow up shortly afterwards with hands on the information comes across better
Hi Oriole:
Using PPT's to demonstrate small close-up steps is a good idea. Another idea would be to match someone who has the stitch down with someone who is having trouble. Let them work on it together. Peer mentoring like this can be very effective, especially when it's just 1-on-1.
Regards, Barry
My classes are 90% hands on. One of the problems has always been demonstrations. Teaching sewing, requires repeated demos and then the student trying, but the small size of the step being shown has always been problem.
I have made step by step boards in the past and this was helpful but really only good for the student that may have missed a demo. I had never thought of doing photos of the steps as PP. Our large screens would make the steps so much easier to see.
I really can't wait to get started.
Hi Joseph:
Great. You're involving multiple senses and reinforcing the theory with the practical. Students are always going to remember more and retain needed information better when multiple senses and hands on instruction is employed.
Regards, Barry
I also agree. When going through the lecture and notes I will also pass around the items we are going over for that day. Either it be equipment or product we will be using. The students really like it because it is easier for them to reinforce the learning for them to read it, then see it and then feel it.
Hi Gloria:
I wonder if students could view PPT drawings of famous sketches, or handle the different papers and pencils, or read text about sketching principles, or perhaps hear an accomplished sketcher share their tips for better sketching?
Here, I've described examples for audible, visual, and kinesthethic learners. There's really a lot we can do if we think about how student learn best. In your class, I can see there is not too much room for variety, but I hope I've inspired you to think about additional media choices.
Regards, Barry
I find that hands on is the only way for my sketching class to learn. It is also the only way for me to see who is progressing and who may need extra help.
Hi Kristina:
As before, students who perform are engaged, and engaged students tend to retain information needed for their classes.
Regards, Barry
In my class, all we do is hands on learning. My students are learning different techniques everyday.
Hi Judy:
It is frustrating when instructors are on a very tight instructional period. One suggestion might be to have selected students provide a poortion of the demonstration part of a lesson. Hands on and the preparation that leads to it will help the student remember the information well.
Regards, Barry
A a Culinary instrustor our classes are mostly hands on leaning. Lectures and demos make up the rest of the class time. The problem we find is there is not much time for a student to practice a certain skill before they are tested on it. I am not sure how to rectify this in our time frame. So It is frustrating.
Hi June:
Boy, repetition is so very important. It's unfortunate more time couldn't be allocated for this simple yet effective techniques.
Regards, Barry
The profession I am teaching has students very much "hands on". Their training calls for a lot of repetition and practice, practice, practice. By doing they are less likely to forget.
Hi Teri:
Sure! Practice makes perfect. In music they call it reheasing and few great things come out of foregoing the (daily) practice and repetition that many trades require.
Regards, Barry
