Changing A Lecture
I find it best to have alternate lessons plans, so if the students are struggling we can participate in more hands-on activities.
Matt,
Demonstrations are a great way to engage and involve students. It also helps keep interest and makes classes more enjoyable. Also, these usually have something tangible that has to to do with what they will be doing once they graduate and seek employment. So, good idea for lots of reasons.
Barry Westling
I agree Barry. I teach in a culinary program, and despite the varying goals of the students, they are ultimately there to be in a hands-on environment and cook.
On our straight lecture days, they tend to be the days where our students struggle the most. So, to keep the students engaged, we often do extended demos or have the students assist in the demos. In addition, sometimes even bringing in a chef from another class, who may specialize in a certain topic or cuisine, can help vary up the dynamic as well.
Shea,
I think teachers who challenge themselves with new and untried activities gain a lot from those that turn out to be successful. Many things I do in the classroom came from trial and error over past years of instruction. I take and use what worked, and "spit out the bones".
Barry Westling
TURNING WHATS IS ON PAPER OR PP INTO A ACTUAL ACTIVITY, GIVES THE STUDENT A BETTER FEEL OF HOW THE WOULD REACT IN A REAL LIFE PATIENT SCENARIOS. ITS EASY TO TALK ABOUT IN CLASS BUT WHEN YOUR WORDS BECOME ACTIONS AND YOU HAVE A CRICTAL SCENARIO ITS MUCH MORE EXCITED VS. TALKING ABOUT IT ONLY.
Hi Patricia,
This is a great activity. It encourages particiaption by all. It allows individual expression. It promotes creative thought. And the presentation to the class assists individual understabding of course material.
Barry Westling
When my students are having difficulty handling the material, I'll take a short break from the discusiion. The students will get into breakout groups that can go over what we have just learned and develop a scenerio that will apply to what they are learning and how it is to be used. Or practice what has just been introduced. And then share with the rest of the class. These are mini sessions not large periods of time.
Hi Darren:
Well, we could call these back up plans. But whatever we call them, having more than enough material to cover in a limited time frame is jus good planning, and provides the potential to vary and/or modify as needed.
Regards, Barry
