Hi Jennifer:
Good. Determining your students learning style is helpful and many times teachers have to do some extra work to identify it. Diversity is good, especially when it's interesting, creative, outstanding, dramatic, and eye catching!!
Regards, Barry
Hi James:
Good. Breaking up the flow with an occasional question is a giood idea, and students tend to anticipate this the mnore you do it. Sticking to key concepts is safe. Keeping it interesting is the challenge.
Regards, Barry
As an instructor I try to deversify my teaching style to match my students learning style as much as possible.
When preparing for a lesson and reviewing material, I select supporting material that best helps me get key concepts across. I often go through the publisher supplied powerpoints and edit to eliminate non-essential information and ad content that supports my presentation. Inserting a question by powerpoint, occasionally, seems to be a great way to keep the students focused on the presentation--especially knowing that they might be called upon to respond.
Hi Frederic:
Choosing the best media requires an understanding of the student group we're involved with at the time, as it will vary class to class. Engaging students, being creating, making it interesting, and having fun are factors that'll make for better classes.
Regards, Barry
I select my media based on what is first available and then what best gets an effective student response.
I don't always have the ideal choices because i work in several different classrooms and two different buildings.
Hi Uwe:
These are good media choices. Good teachers are willing to try new or alternative methods to get their students up to speed. The goal is learning and there are many ways to achieve that. Keeping the class interesting while providing meaningful instruction is really quite an art.
Regards, Barry
I use the following medias
* powerpoint
* demos
* auditory discussing of recipies
* peronal coaching
to be able to reach my students and their different learning abilities
Hi Sharon:
You're right, sometimes information overload can occur. Breaking material up into smaller parts is one method to keep interest. Also, getting students personnaly involved somehow will be memorable and contribute to better information retention.
Reagrds, Barry
I adapt my instructional media depending on the subject matter and how I personally believe that students will relate best to various methods. I find that students become jaded being bombarded with the same presentation types over and over in all their courses. No wonder they fall asleep!
Hi Cindy:
Very good! Although some might object to the idea of "entertainment", I agree and think it's true. Engaging students with activities that are creative and interesting will also assist with retention of information and ultimately a better employee in the workforce. Sneaking learning into an activity the students view as a game or fun exercise is a great idea and we should employ this tactic whenever possible.
Regards, Barry
Hi Joannie:
Great comment. Movement creates variety, interest, perhaps even excitement. Matching your media choices with the learning objectives will assure the students get the essential information.
Regards, Barry
Students today like to be entertained so I select media that is entertaining and informative. I use the theory of letting the student have fun and in the background not realizing that they are really learning.
I select media to accommodate the lesson. I try to use media where students can move around the classroom. Teaching evening classes, the students are more attentive when they can move and interact with the lesson.
Hi Sarah:
Integrating multia-media choices such as you describe blends multiple senses, involves different leqarning styles, and seems to keep interest by using contemporary material. Awesome!
Regards, Barry
I select media for the relevance it has to my course. For instance: I have a wonderful lesson on listening and I use a song from a local hip hop group that has a very accurate song about listening. We listen first and then I show the words on PP with the song so we can see the words. I model Power Point Presentations so they will also know how to use them with their group projects.
I use flipcharts when we are discussing teamwork and I let them use flip charts when brainstorming a Persuasive argument.
I use white boards to announce information and to go over homework assignments.
