Hi Margie:
You've identified some good points. It is key to degine what it is that needs to be taught, then deciding on how best to deliver that material.
Variety in media selection definitely makes a difference. But also, choosing the correct media for the lesson is also inportant.
Keeping the students in mind helps focus what resouces will attain both effective learning and interest by the students.
This activity takes time, thought, effort, planning, and communication. And it should be reviewed by peers or supervisiors who are willing to make constructive comments.
Regards, Barry
Hi David:
Great! I think variety is the key to keeping things interesting. Moving from one form of media to another form helps keep attention and focus, and also stimulates differnt learning styles.
Regards, Barry
Hi Rainerio:
Good blending of resources. Variety, adding different media to keep and sustain attention, and being creative to use resourses that are interesting (discussion, stories, work related activities)are all important considerations when planning a course.
We want to look at it from the student's perspective, too. That is, how would it be to be a student on the receiving end of the planned lesson?
Regards, Barry
My first question is "What is the most effective way to communicate this lesson?" Is it a video animation that shows the process in action? Is it recording the student input on the white board to then show the relationships between their input? Or is it one of many other options? I do my best to vary the media, as no one vehicle works for every lesson. More importantly, varying the media seems to keep the students engaged. If one device is overused, no matter how effective the device was initially, it becomes routine and students tend to zone out.
I feel that using different medias keeps the lecture interesting and not so boring with just looking or seeing the same thing in the same format all the time
I select media that will powerfully/effectively deliver the message I am giving the students. I also select media that will hold my audience's (students') attention.
I use Powerpoint Presentations for the ease that I could convey concepts trough Bulletpoints while simultaneously adding to the information on the graphic.
I also extensively use the White Board during Open Forum sessions to emphasize/note down the questions/issues being discussed.
Hi Marshall:
Having backup methods to teach your class can be invaluable when you experience "one of those days", as we all have had them.
For instance, PPT slides by LCD projector can be replaced by PPT slides (as you pointed out); the same information can be printed on overhead transprencies (should the LCD or computer malfunction); you could even have a flipchart with essentially the same information that is on the PPT or overheads in the event the first two mehods weren't avialable.
In fact, sometimes I like to add these media just to offer a change of pace. I think hour after hour of PPT is really too much unless there is discusuion or another activity interpersed to break up the level of student concentration.
Regards, Barry
Hi Kay:
Movies, stories, examples from thereal world or wrk setting, and similar activities arfe always an interesting and usually enjoable experience that add memorable information to the student. I think it's memorable because students can relate to this kind of information, as if they "already know" the material in a way of speaking.
Adding this as the primary focus, or using it to reengage students who may have lost attention or are distracted by whatever is another reason and use oif this helpful technique.
Regards, Barry
The biggest problem I have in selecting the media for my class in based on the equipment available in the classroom/lab. Many times I have had to for go the use of power point because of inoperable equipment. I have photos and printed matter of the power point and hand those out in leiu of the projector.
Also knowing the learning styles of the students will guide me as to what will be the best form of delivering the content.
Being prepared with an arsenal of various media tools makes life alot easier to control.
My school is a technical & design school. My students are very visual. I find showing a movie in Psychology such as Stand By Me helps explain adolencence development. In College Sucess I will also use movies to bring a concept in. They like it and it helps me show as well as tell.
Hi Christina:
Great. You've got a good blending of media, obviously put time and effort into the planning of individual slides, and present the information in a dynamic manner. Sounds like your' is a fun class!
Regards, Barry
I have to admit that I am a powerpoint junky. I simply love to do do my lectures in powerpoint as it helps me to organize my thoughts, insert other media, and provide guided notes for students. However, I also incorporate the use of handouts, small group acitivities, on-line discussion boards, and on-line tests/quizzes. I try to focus video clips for further emphasis of a topic/concept rather than fillers. Full videos are utilized as introductory material, orienting students to the upcoming topic. An example of this is when I teach the modules on the 5 senses I start the lesson with the Discovery video on senses. I utilize this for the central nervous system as well.
Hi Susan:
Your example describes a tool. As professional educators, we need the tools that help get our job done in the most efficient and effective manner.
I think planning is a needed ingredient when selecting media choices. Thought is required as to how best convey the topic, and this takes time, effort, and seeking out the identified resources.
Regards, Barry
Hi Olga:
Awesome! Blending multiple media provides the best learning and improves retention. Also, getting students involved in as many delivery activities will help tremendously.
So, we should think of ourselves as facilitators of learning, allowing students to learn as much as possible on their own, along with our expert guidence.
Regards, Barry
Teresa:
Publisher PPT's are okay, inasmuch as they follow the outline of the book. Unfortunately, many times what a teacher may want to cover isn't laid out in the same arragement, or even covered at all. So using publisher slides to augment your own PPT presentation provides the best alternative in my view.
Regards, Barry
It depends on what I am teaching. If its computer applications then I will want to have a computer assessible with the ability to project the screen as a image on the board. As I select commands and explain functions I will have the students follow along with me. This way they see, hear and do at the same time or right after the other. The students are engaged and the teaching becomes more effective.
I use Power Points in my class to deliver general rules and instructions. Also it helps me to follow the class outline. I post PP's on a college portal and students can print PP's and use them as handouts.
I use a white board for examples and exercises.
When I use this two media in the class, it helps me to attract students attention to the class content.
Hi Dennis:
I think the key to good media choices is analyzing how best to to teach the class given the resources available to us. Reviewing the student learning outcomes, course objectives, and assessment that will be required also assists in choosing what'll work best.
Regards, Barry
I use pp presentations provided by the textbook publishers.
Media selection depends on the didactic course you are teaching and what is being discussed in class
