I love to use short videos via YouTube or instructional videos provided by our education system. It helps people who learn visually and audibly and provides a perfect indroction for out hands on learners to see what they are about to learn.
Ken,
Interesting comparison that demonstrates how education is always changing. Technology has created a whole new way of engaging students, and whenever we can achieve that, class is robably going to be better. Another copmparison. Socrates told stories. I tell stories, and find nearly always students will listen and engage with a story about the work setting. I think it's something innate about the human nature.Some things change and some older (non-technical) methods still work fine.
Barry Westling
Nelson ,
Video's are a great resource. The only downside is sometimes a 20, 30, or 40 minute video segment is just too long to keep student attention. What has helped me is using You-Tube or similar web sites that tend to have shorter segments that add just enough material to get the point across and provide a beneficial learning moment.
Barry Westling
As instructors in this world of ever changing technology world, one must accept the fact that we must also learn to change our methods. The new students of this, and oncoming years will look upon a school that uses power points only, as I look back at my younger years when we dipped a pen into a ink well. Yes, use the best method that works well for the student, but don't get too comfortable with it. " Ok class bring up this web site on your personal pocket device, we will listen to it, then discuss it.
Just think about this course and remember the old hand written, mail in courses that was used not to long ago.
again, in my field of work (Culinary) there are thousands of videos available that show how to apply a learned skill. i like to include this videos whenever possible to show the students therelevance of what they're learning.
James,
Sometimes trying something new is a little uncomfortable at first. But if its worthwhile, our diligence to work at it will make us stronger overall.
Barry Westling
I go with what I am comfortable with. I have found that if I try to learn something new on the fly then I am not comtforable with it and it doesn't work well in the classroom setting.
Wilmanie,
Right. Using a variety of resources along with select media that corresponds to the lesson adds interest and makes classes more enjoyable. I try to keep different segments as short as possible and mix it up where I can. Students comment they like the shoter chunks of activity and some feel the time flies by in especially long class sessions (4-hours).
Barry Westling
Select the medium that is best suited for the content of the class, for instance seeing a you tube video on the different lungs or heart sounds, a video of a head-to-toe health assessment will help the students to see how to do it properly before getting hands on practice in the clinical lab.
Lauren,
Yes, and I find students are nearly always more engaged when we add variety along with shorter segments, frequently alternating between media and interactive segments.
Barry Westling
The media style you choose should be based on how it can relate the material to the students and it can help keep the students engaged in the material.
Angela,
I mix it up. For instance, I may use PPT for only 10-minutes, then discussion, then back to PPT for 20 minutes, then a written activity, then back to PPT that has a short video embedded, then discussion, etc., etc. By using variety, students stay engaged and more interested. Also, I'll only use use PPT when it absolutely the best way to communicate an idea or information. Otherwise, I avoid it.
Barry Westling
Power point is affective but it get old. How do you get out of the routine?
Bibi,
Lively classes engage students. Whatever we can do to liven it up can assist with keeping attention and interest. Video's are a terrific media to intermix with the PPT slides.
Barry Westling
I like to use an interactive short video, power points can be boring at times. Especially when we have to cover 50+ slides.
Karen,
Mixing it up as you suggest is a good blend of learning tools to help keep interest, add variety, and makes classes more enjoyable, as well as instructional.
Barry Westling
I choose media based on the skill that is being taught. If learning is facilitated by using models then I would use them. If information is needed then powerpoint is used.
Dorothy,
I address the PPT situation by using only short bulleted sentences that guide me in my discussion, and do not provide the complete material. My PPT's would be nearly empty and unhelpful if a student missed the accompanying lecture, discussion or learning activity. And I try to only use PPT when it really needed, not just because it's there and I can.
Barry Westling
Selecting instructional media is based on the overall class goals. I have heard some students complain that daily powerpoints are really boring and put them to sleep. I have also found that some students were using the powerpoints slides in place of reading the chapter text. Instructors have to be careful in choosing the media that will suit the needs of all the students without making the media a "crutch" for students. I like using the whiteboard because it allows me to be spontaneous and specific. Each student as we know, learns differently,so when a idea or concept from the text is not clear, I can address a question with hands on speed to help the student understand based on how that specific student learns.
cory,
Sounds fun! Creating interesting slides that have an underlying message just makes delivery of needed material more enjoyable. These are the memories and classes that students recall later on.
Barry Westling
