Showing students how to study
I like to give my students tips on how to prepare for their learning, whether it is taking a test or performing a clinical competency. I suggest that students study in groups, based on their geographic location (lots of our students commute and carpool). They learn a lot from each other and can share their clinical experiences as well as what they learned from lecture. Some students are more experienced and knowledgeable than others, so I also like to team those different dynamics up. If I were to have a classroom course to teach, I would use both visual and auditory methods of teaching. I would be clear about the important points that will be covered on tests. I would also try and apply real world examples so that the student can synthesize the lesson into something practical. This gets dialog going, and some students who are less familiar with the field can easily identify others who have more experience and team up with them for study.
Diane,
Most students have not had any formal instruction in study techniques, they've just learned a way that has worked for them (successfully or otherwise) over the years. I like to provide a guide to studying and each student finds what techniques might work for them.
Barry Westling
I like to use both auditory and visual methods to teach and I liek to show examples how working in the clinic would apply to what I'm teaching. I also will put students in groups (teaming the ones with a little experience with those who don't have any)and this seems to help the students quite a bit.
Tara,
Wonderful. Engaged students learn more, retain more, and enjoy class more. And, there are a lot of ways to provide engagement beyond discussion. Be creative and your students will benefit from your efforts.
Barry Westling
I think that your post has provided me with some information that I need to use. When teaching certain subject matter, it can be hard to have the students break up into groups. I have decided that with my next class, I will be breaking the students up into small groups - to work on various projects / lectures. I have found that when I break the students up into a small group, and have them present a lecture to the class - they are more engaged in the activity and also the lecture. They then also learn how difficult it can be (at times) to try and provide a lecture, without any interruption. I think this works well with those older adult learners. Thank you for the initial post on this subject matter. Tara
Andrea,
I think the essence of your very nice post is to provide the expectations and students will tend to yield to them. And group participation is much more preferred than the talking head kind of lecture format. Yes, there needs to be some lecture, but it can be mixed in with other activities, and should not be so boring that it is a distraction to student learning!
Barry Westling
