Hi Vinny,
Sound like you are somewhat limited in choosing new media. In this instance, it may be wise to work with what you have to the fullest, such as working the white board (students at the board), small group discussions of topics you're covering, exercises or amplification from the required reading. Thinking creatively gives the teacher more lattitude especially when they are somewhat resrited in what they can choose.
Barry Westling
Due to the nature of where i work i am limited to what media i can show. how ever there is already a database of materials that i can choose pre approved that i can manipulate to get my points across
Hi Marvin,
Well, good. And don't think you are that different from others. Many teachers and schools put specific directives to their faculty, I guess to insure the student will at least get basic information. I know it sounds like it stymies creativity, and perhaps it does. Unfortunately, students don't always know about other schools that have different practice guidelines. But as teachers, we all have to work with what we have. As a profession, thank goodness most teachers learn to be creative with whatever they have.
Barry Westling
Although I am confined by the schools guide lines about what I can do with the power point I have free rain over the dry erase board, here I utilize my kindergarden drawing skills to really stress my points and also I add some youtube address links to allow the students to take advantage of some of the media that pertains to their education.
Hi John,
Good for you. To become an experienced teacher you first have experience. And as you point out that requires a continual adaptation and modification to learn what works best and under what circumstances. I'll just add for you to remember, the tools are not the important thing, it's the learning the students achieve. So don't be afraid to contine to try new approaches, even those you may not be familar with or may feel a bit uncomfortable with. Any experienced teacher will tell you taht some of their most effective strategies have come from trying something new - and it worked!
Barry Westling
I have been teaching for alittle over 2 years. When I first started I used the previous instructors ppt slides and pretty much read them. Not only were the students bored so was I. Over time I have revised these ppt presentations to be more reflective of me. I have inserted video clips, diagrams, pictures, etc. I also spend more time at the white board then before. Demonstration in the lab and small group lab projects and learning assignments are a great help to reinforce classroom learning.
John
Hi Edward,
It's a simple idea but a difficult task to match the best learning media to the course content being taught. Working with limited resources is also a challenge many instructors deal with. The best media is the collection that best teaches this group of students in this class at this time. It varies each time.
Barry Westling
Yes, I do. I use a combination of video and power point.
All of our cirriculum is preset for us where i teach, but i do try to present the content in at least 3 of the 4 main ways of learning. I find that communicating with each student and finding out what works best for them allows me to tailor to there learning experience.
Hi J,
Instructional media should also relate directly to course and student learning objectives. Daily subject topics may be interesting and related to the profession, but if they miss touching on a predetermined outcome, then perhaps another, more appropriate media choice should be selected.
Barry Westling
The media selected should be appropriate for
the type of class. If videos are going to be
shown, they should be relevant to the topics
you are discussing or have discussed recently.
J. E. Wright
Hi Debra,
Most of my faculty still use the overhead in their classes although it is becoming less used. All my classrooms have instructor-only computers linked to ceiling mounted projectors for PPT or DVD's. Just because something has been around for a while doesn't diminish it's usefulness (gosh, how long has the bread toaster been around?). The overhead is a tool, and specialists know the right tool gets a job done most effectively.
Barry Westling
I wish my current schools used overhead. It is so effective for problem demonstration, rather than using the black/white board. Some things should not be "outdated" yet. : )
Debra Touhey
Laura,
I too am glad to learn how much of our learning is through the visual senses. It is helping me plan my upcoming lectures.
I currently like PPT and lecture. I am always looking for new ways to enhance my class, though.
Debra Touhey
Hi J,
I look at it this way: "What resources are avilable and from those, what are the best ways and activities to use with this particular class at this specific time. It will vary from class to class. And we can't be afraid to experiment with unfamilar media choices. Some of my best have come from a bit of experimentation.
Barry Westling
Hi J,
Sounds like a good strategy. And I would add that if the course goals and student learning objectives are well written, the course should include the contemporay topics. This illustrates the need and benefit of an ongoing review and analysis of the course content we're expected to teach.
Barry Westling
The media does need to be appropriate ;however,
with a little research it is possible to find
a media that adds value to the classroom.
J. e. Wright
The most appropriate way I have found to select
media for a class is to research what is being
used in the Business world and acquire and
utilize the same media so that students are
using a tool that they will be using when they
graduate ad move into a position outside of the
college environment.
J. E. Wright
Hi James,
That's unfortunate. Even so, I'm sure you have lattitude in your delivery, which creative teachers can use to enhance the lesson, even when there are constricting guidelines the teacher must adhere to.
Barry Westling
I don’t because the school is very strict about what we show the students
