I use a power point presentation with my class. This type of technology supports the visual learner, who prefers to read words, look at diagrams and pictures. Also, by using a power point presentation, my tactile learners can take notes from the presentation. I also read what is on the power point presentation for my auditory learners, and I engage the students in short classroom activities which encourages class discussion about the current topic we are learning about.
We have the students research the web in class to find the most current publications and relate to them to the lesson. We also use black board for on-line discussions, papers, test and provide the students with access to our research library.
I like to integrate technology whenever possible, for example when discussing inventory -- have the students put together their own inventory in MS Excel or Access. If you are instructing a Career Management course - have the students put a resume together in MS Word. If you are instucting a course in Introduction to Computers - rather than just discuss the terminology such as ram and hard drives -- have the components ready for show and tell. Also when discussing cloud computing and databases - talk about facebook. facebook is a database and it also uses cloud computing. Also, I am sure all of the students have a cell phone in their pocket -- you can incorpate technology into your classroom through the use of the cell phone or just by using it as an example.
I teach Esthetics and have found many resources via the internet and webinars a valuable tool for supplemental course material. Many of the resources help to further explain procedures and techniques, helping the students further understand the material.
I use power point and at times ," the old overhead". The students really get a thrill with the overhead.
I use power points regularly. I try to hit all learning styles with the use of power points and other teaching techniques. I like to use online anatomy and physiology games such as labeling, crossword puzzles, word games, and concentration games. This keeps the students involved and active. It also creates some "healthy" competition.
I love to use you tube. It has so many things to learn from tons of new techniques. I encourage for home work to go and find a design or pattern that the students don't know how to do and bring it in to class and work together on it....
In all of the courses that I teach, I incorporate a project that requires the use of Excel. For example, in Business Math, the students create an Excel Workbook that analyzes actual sales data from a company that I worked for in the past. I provide all of the data and they must create a spreadsheet that applies formulas from the lectures,calculating selling price, mark up, mark up percent, total units etc. After creating the workbook, they must analyze their worksheets by determining the best and worst sellers by group and give reasons for their answers. The students embrace the project and become proficient in Excel while honing their analytic skills. A few of my students brought this project to an interview and secured the job because of their ability to create and analyze excel spreadsheets.
I use a projector with my laptop to be able to show students how to do things in software while also expelling it. Saying something is one thing, doing and applying it is another.
Daniel,
Have you found an improvement in student retention of information, since implementing the use of 3D technology into your lectures?
Tremayne Simpson
I use PowerPoint and short videos when appropriate. I also use my iPad to show YouTube videos that go along with our math book. The students seem to be more interested when I use the iPad than they are when I show the same videos using my laptop or a desktop computer. They seem to like it more because it is the latest technology.
Earle,
I agree. Oversaturating the usage of technology, just to show that it is being actively used is a counterproductive, instructional method. Students should not be "lost" in the use of technology, however it should only be used as a supplement to their learning.
Tremayne Simpson
In most of my classes I teach about muscles. Where the muscles are and what action the muscles perform. Technology has really helped in teaching this so the students can see where everything lies on the body on a 3d scale verses looking in the book which is just 2 diminutional.
I work at a school for audio engineering and I integrate technology into class all of the time. I get to show them tips and techniques to operating industry standard software as well as showing them other analog formats and operations.
We use it for resources primarily. In the classroom it is not too relevant for the courses that I teach since we are a hands on program.
In teaching IT courses, I make use of virtualized lab environments that are fairly close to what a student can expect to see when they are actually working in industry.
This is a resource that I wish I had when I was going to school, and I have found that it signficantly increases student confidence that what they are learning in school will translate to their professional lives.
I find the judicious use of technology is a key. Not creating a powerpoint for the sake of creating a powerpoint but thinking through the added benefit and how effective it will be for the student. If there is more benefit or it will make the info easier for students to grasp then go for it.
I teach audio production and i use current 'technologies' all day, everyday. One way to introduce my students to the concepts and functions of an Equalizer (eq) is to launch a virtual eq from a popular audio program that all of our students possess as part of their enrollment package, projected on the overhead screen. I have the students open the same device on their computers. I then show them the basic functions and features as they follow along with me. Its a great learning tool and the students love it because they can actually see and hear, in real time, what each part does before they are mandated to use a 'real' eq that doesn't display all of the fancy graphics available from the computer. They hit the ground running and the actual physical device becomes easy to operate for them right out of the gate.
Many times , students find answers derived for the internet have more validity that ones from experience, I tell students facts are confirmed with more than one source.
Including dvds on hand on topics for students to learn and see skills, such as CPR and First Aid.
