Wendy,
Your post reminds us that "being an instructor, means being a learner".
Tremayne Simpson
Mary,
In addition, using the instructor resources that are provided by textbook publishers, can be a great asset for student engagement. Generally, these resources are "free" and relate directly with the course supplemental materials.
Tremayne Simpson
In dental hygiene school we use lecture with notes passed out for the students, PowerPoint presentations with pictures and videos, and guest speakers. The students love meeting the various specialists who come and talk. They get excited by professionals in the real world and they have their horizons broadened. Another winner is when grads come back to share their real-world experiences.
I feel that by adding materials, guest speakers, and other material to our lesson plans to my course helps my students stayed focused and interested in the course
Looking at the internet and you tube are great ways to find"outside the box" resources. Also, inviting guest speakers is a value added resource.
using the internet, scientific publocations related to the subject matter, gust speakers who are experts in the subject.
Some of the resources that can be used for content is self demonstration. Students can squeeze their hand to show size of a heart. Position their hand to their chest to demonstrate anatomy placement and tilting direction. Verbally mimic the sounds of the heart valves closing etc.
I find with the student I have that the more hands-on activities they have, the more they are engaged in the lesson. Guest speakers are also a great way to help the students understand the career they selected and the possibilities that await them after graduation. Taking a field trip to businesses or organizations that pertain the course of study will help students see the skills they are learning being used by others already in the job force.
I anticipate that this will be one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching. (I'm now teaching my third class). As an older aged instructor, I am playing catch-up in regard to technology. The students are actually helping me with some of the newer programs which has created a bond between us. In return, I find that many of my students lack or are deficient in study skills and we work with using some "old fashioned" resources such as how to use an index or how to scan books for pertinent verifiable information as well as how to evaluate internet resources and sources.
I anticipate that this will be one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching. (I'm now teaching my third class). As an older aged instructor, I am playing catch-up in regard to technology. The students are actually helping me with some of the newer programs which has created a bond between us. In return, I find that many of my students lack or are deficient in study skills and we work with using some "old fashioned" resources such as how to use an index or how to scan books for pertinent verifiable information as well as how to evaluate internet resources and sources.
I agree, I think students like choices and they like to feel like they are apart of the class flow and structure.
I have found students appreciate choices. When we as instructors offer them different ways to present the required information they are more engaged. I like to assign a topic and then have them decide if they want to create a video,blog,PowerPoint or even use Facebook. Students learn so differently, but when they are allowed some control they tend to excel and enjoy the subject matter. When they are made to write a paper they can become disengaged, because it is not the way they retain the information. I do understand that some topics are not suited for Facebook or a blog but whenever possible allowing them a choice proves to improve their comprehension. I enjoy watching the students create new ideas and then implementing them. It allows other students to see new ways of learning the information. I also learn about "knew" technology and ways to utilize it in the classroom. By offering them more freedom in how they present what they have learned has been a positive new experience for me.
We show a lot of DVD on the clinic floor of all the latest trends. The cosmetologist students enjoy watching them.
I have just imlemented on line testing for my class. The students have had a positive response to this. They have a specific window to start and finish the test. They also have the option to due the test at home or at school. The only negetive on this would be the students that need more time because of learning or language issues.
Intercative digital tolls can make a big diference during a course, computer basec games, task or videos can make a big diference.
Having an internet connection in class is infinitely useful because not only does it provide resources directly but can be used to locate other resources which I do for students frequently. Whether it is accessing a site to look at a diagram or to locate a book or video for them to purchase for their own use.
Some of the resources that are added to the instructional content are video footage from live instructors, demonstration from former students and student review.
Inorder to enhance the school's material, I sometime used video footage of other instructors to reinforce the information.
Students out on externship are asked to report back to the class the detail of their experience.
I alway students to review the lession that is already thought inform of study material for the final exam.
This is a wonderful tool to acheive the goal. I also ask students to bring in an article in a medical resource to use in class. It is based on our topic of study and relevant to the course content. This aides with our discussion time with real world nursing.
It is true, if I use other instructional resources, students are more focused, attracted and interactive.
When teaching skills-based materials I find verbal explanations followed by demonstration to be the best approach. I have found many excellent videos/demonstrations on YouTube. This gives the students a large visual demonstration of the task as well as a resource to access on their own if they would like to see additional demonstrations. Some students need to see things numerous times before gaining enough confidence and competence to attempt the task on their own. One word of caution is to review the video privately before showing it the class since it is YouTube. :-)
