Hi Donald,
I use a technique similar to yours. I almost always have extra activities on hand. Also, if the students are loosing interest, we can do an activity.
I always think of the course as "employment training" so I work through the textbook and then have an open conversation with the students based on their experiences. What have they done in the past and how does the new knowledge affect them? That usually will keep the class full and every student feels like they contributed.
Section off material( by topic I.E. sections of the body), outlined chapter form,transitional flow form theory into demonstration, progression of topic ideas and building on foundational points of interest, so students first hear concpets and ideas, then apply them tangibly.
It is wonderful to have taught the class before but i find that sometimes I need to change or modify something to make it work better.
My employer provides a syllabus and a basic course notebook. I preview the material and make notes about how the topic applies to the real world. Everything in the content has an application I can relate to and pass on to my students.
Hi Joshua:
To echo your sentiments, the key word is BALANCE when selecting ANY course content.
For example, if we're too much lecture heavy, that can become dull. If we discuss too much, that can become dull too.
Howabout using an ideal approach that tries to address every type of learning style out there!
Regards, Barry
I am teachhg classes next term that have not been taught before! I am setting mine up based on Chapter and reviewing to get an idea of the time frame to present. Once I have taught the class or am in the process, I can have a better estimate of whether there is enough time to cover the material or not! Once I have completed a few classes I may or may not have to change my plans.
Sufficient course content must be organized based on the course reference materials. The way it is delivered is up to the instructor and the class. I think the most important aspect is appealing to the learning styles of the class. No matter how dry the material there is always a way to switch up the delivery to keep the students on their toes.
I always have extra activities to do , just in case we move through too quickly the topics I planned for. every 50 min session I always try for 20 min lecture, 20 min practice and 10 min assesment. The lecture and practice sometimes go fast so I make sure I have anther activity just in case its needed.
Linda great ideas. I believe having extra material on hand is very important and lets the instructor adjust class time to the need of each individual class.
Hi Linda:
One thing that's nice about back up plans is that they can be used no matter what, as a way of breaking up the flow of the class/breaking up monotony.
Regards, Barry
Hi Ed:
Another thing about using a variety of teaching methods and topics is that it enhances the chance we will address every type of learning style as possible.
Regards, Barry
After teaching manyv year I learned to weed out
useless informationand and use a no frills approach to material also based on my real experience in industry.
Being familiar with the expectations of the course is one strategy. Then, breaking those expectations down into what information the student would need in order to meet expectation can take this stratgy further.
I try to have a variety of activities related to the course content for that class period. If we get through things a little faster than normal, that's okay because I have more reinforcement activities available. If something takes a little longer, that's okay because I will adjust the number of reinforcing activities we do.
-Up-to-date news information, I watch the morning and evening news
-Subscribing to groups and memberships related to your field
-textbook and textbook website
-my own experiences
Strategy so that one course leads into the next, with sufficient planning time and sufficient, timely, pertinent materials to supplement. Then read it and review it and plan it out lession by lession PRIOR to the start of class.
Hi Michelle:
Teaching to different learning styles is great! Sufficient material should be tied to the course objectives and student learning outcomes. We can give more, but that essential material needs to be presented.
Using a variety of media, having back-up plans, engaging students in discussions all contribute to students participating in their own education, which will end up much more beneficial.
Regards, Barry
When I teach a class I make sure that I have enough material to be able to touch on the four different learning styles. I use several different learning techiniques to make sure the students understand exactly what is presented to them.
