We do an activity where we blindfold and students need to be descriptive about an item, have them touch and smell (if applicable)
Linda,
Learning improves when more senses are involved. You have described many that are undoubtedly helpful to your students retaining needed information. Application of learned information also adds to retention, and you have an abundance of applied learning opportunities in your classes.
Barry Westling
For the most part, I am very lucky educating my students. I am an instructor in a massage therapy and bodywork program. We have the opportunity to use up to 4 different senses for our students' learning experiences. We can lecture (hearing), write notes on the white board and use pictures of the body (seeing), use oils as we practice the techniques we've discussed (touch and feeling), along with using aromatherapy essential oils (smell). I also have the use of a cadaver lab so the students can see the muscle tissue they will be affecting during massage. Even in non-hands-on classes like Kinesiology I have the students palpate their own muscles to add the sense of touch to their learning. I also enjoy using media at times that demonstrate movement to music. The music adds another dimension to the learning experience.
Nastassia,
All students rely on visual learning to a great degree. I always state I reserve my right to reposition students or assign seating as the need arises. This can be to assist a student who can benefit from being closer in order to see, or it may be to break up distractions, such as talking with a classmate. I have told students, "if it distracts me, it distracts others". There's a time when informal chatting is permissible but not when when I'm lecturing.
Barry Westling
Having been a student of chemistry major, I know how important was my proximity to the board where the teacher was writing sets of chemical equations and problems' solutions. I took explicit notes and was well-prepared for the tests.
My class size is usually small, 5-15 people, but there are always a few students who would like to sit at the back. Unfortunately, that hinders their learning...I encourage students to sit closer to the board and demonstration desk.
I suspected that a sense of sight plays a big role in a learning process and it was great to find out from this module that it processes 83% of the information we learn!
In addition, I highlight important words or word phases in my Power Point presentations (definition of a word, exceptions to a rule, etc). That immediately catches the eye. I encourage students to use highlighter too whenever they are taking notes.
Brenda,
This sounds fun. It's good to provide for application in classes, especially if there is not a lab component to the course. Using a variety of activities to involve students helps to enhance their learning and reatin the information for use as the course progresses, and later on in the work setting.
Barry Westling
Every single class I teach not only uses visual and auditory, but hands on participation. It breaks up the patterns of just listening to actually doing with examples. I engage each and every student with their own ideas and thoughts about lecture.
Brenda
Dawanna,
More senses used in learning activities only helps students retain and apply their knowledge.
Barry Westling
The multi-sensory approach is a brillant concept.
Robin ,
Great! More activities creates multiple opportunities for students to learn, as well as reach different ways students learn. In all, we can capture the students attention and interest by providing variety.
Barry Westling
I enjoy and employ various senses in every class/course I teach. Related to the courses, I also assign students the responsibility of creating visual and sensory aids for their classroom assignments and presentations to me and to one another.
Jackie,
Terrific. I am very animated and sounds, expressions, unusual over-the-top expressions are effective ways to capture attention, keep the class livey and energetic, and deliver my material with enthusiasm. This makes for memorable, meaningful class sessions.
Barry Westling
make them laugh, make them visualize, make interesting noises that will get their attention that are relevant to the material at hand
Tavia,
Sure, in most medical-related careers, multiple sense are integral to the learning process.
Barry Westling
Carmella,
Great example. I'm sure anyone completing an exercise like this would soon leran to be in tune with their surrondings. But also a great illustration of the power of multiple senses in learning.
Barry Westling
as a dental assisting instuctor I always incorporate the sences into class
In a previous MAX Knowledge course that I completed, there was an example of pairing up students that engaged their listening skills as well as their visual observation skills.
They were told to ask their partner about the best vacation they had ever experienced. Then they were placed back to back and asked to list ten of their partner's physical attibutes.
They were not expecting that question, so it gave them a good idea of their observational skills.
This is very important in the healthcare field and this exercise was something fun as well!
Chelsea,
It's interesting how much instruction involving the senses leads to long term learning outcomes. It shows you how important involving the senses in class really is.
Barry Westling
In my career field your sense are important , so teaching with a multi-sensory approach in class not only stimulates the student educationally but also preps them to be aware of sensory benefits for their career.
Nicole,
As for PPT's I've found them as a visual guide for my discussion works much better than supllying all or most of the key information they should know. There are better ways for students to read material than to try to condense it to a PPT. But for illustrations, diagrams, photgraphs, charts and graphs, there's nothing better as a way to explain an idea to students. PPT can also bring procedural, instrumentation, geographical, or technical information to the classroom that does not normally have these resources available to them. Finally, embedded video's can enhance a presentation very nicely.
Barry Westling
