at the beginning of each term, we have to read the code of conduct to our students. We have to read it for every class, regardless of how many times they have heard it before. I actually agree with this: it shows we are serious about it, and there is nothing like repetition for learning.
but too much repetition can be too much and students will turn off. I also get tired of reading it over and over.
Therefore, I will be creating a video of me reading the code of conduct to the class. and to keep it lively and interesting: I'm going to create a dialogue between the video and me in the classroom.
I hope that it will help me not read it as if I'm bored, and get the students to pay attention to it.
Cameron,
This is a great point. Instructors should feel comfortable with saying that they are not aware of an answer to a particular question, provided that they are able to "research" or give valid sources for the answer. Giving the students an "incorrect" answer in order to "save face", can prove to detract from their credibility if the student is able to find the "real" answer for the question.
Tremayne Simpson
My students are cell phone texting junkies. They have those phones out all through class. So I decided for the upcoming semester to place questions on the board that we went over in the previous class. Simple questions that can be answered in one or two words, or choosing an A, B, or C answer. They will get 20 to thirty minutes at the start of class. They well get a pop quizz grade on the questions, which they have to place in a text message and then send to my email. Don't know how it is going to work out yet, but one thing is for sure they will have to pay more attention to what is happening in class, and be on time because as the saying goes "once the questions are gone their gone."
The school I teach at recently upgraded to SmartBoard white boards, which allows me & my students to interact with powerpoints, software, & schematics. Also, on occasion a student will ask me a question that I do not have a good answer for, so instead of "faking" one, I will reply with "I'm not sure, so let's look it up." A few minutes on Google can provide great information & I'm demonstrating self-education to a student who won't be in my classroom to ask questions for the rest of his/her professional life.
Andrea,
I primarily teach speech/communications courses and I encourage that presentations are assigned across the curriculum. It enables the student to practice their skills in presenting to an audience and proper usage of technology. I constantly remind students that once they enter the career world, they will be expected to know how to present themselves to an audience and be able to elaborate on their skill sets (in an interview).
Tremayne Simpson
They are presented in the classroom via the in class computer. The students present their presentation to me and their classmates.
Andrea,
This is an intuitive assignment, that appropriately enables the students to utilize technology? How are the Power Points presented? Online (via the student portal or virtual classroom) or in class?
Tremayne Simpson
Daniel ,
Are the courses that you teach considered "hybrids" or is this web-based content used for supplementing the course in general?
Tremayne Simpson
Dale,
I agree. Publisher supplements provide several additional activities, exercises and materials that (in most cases) can be customized by the instructor. Publishing companies are very receptive and can provide demonstrations of their products to the faculty.
Tremayne Simpson
Jason,
What types of technology are you interested in implementing in your courses?
Tremayne Simpson
Daniel,
This a creative way to use technology as a means of enabling your students to compare and contrast the different methods. Do you ever have situations where your students appreciate the "old", instead of the "new" technology?
Tremayne Simpson
Warren,
This sounds like an effective activity. If students practice on their own cars, they will learn to use the same amount of care and diligence on the vehicles of their customers. It indirectly teaches them about customer service techniques. Instructors must find ways to make the learning "personal" in all subjects.
Tremayne Simpson
You really need to look at what is provided in websites that accompany the text. They are awesome.
Donna,
I agree, Power Point presentations are great for emphasizing the important parts of a unit. I have also use Power Point presentations for exam reviews and "final reflections" which is conducted on the last day of the course.
Tremayne Simpson
I love using PowerPoint presentations to summarize the points in a unit.
I integrate technology into my course by assigning PowerPoint presentations in which the students collect data via researching on the internet. They have to combine all of their material and create a presententation that includes pictures and reliable information. This not only improves the student’s computer skills but also assist with refining their problem-solving skills by helping them determine the best material and layouts to use. In addition, I also assign computer simulation assignments that helps the students apply the technical skills they learn in the classroom. This improves their manual technical skills and helps the students choose the best way of performing different procedures.
I like to have students use their own vehicles to work on. Especially when their vehicle is broken and needs repair. The process and results go further if it's personal.
In the courses i teach the students are recieving a vast amount of there instruction via on line computer web based content. It is the latest up to date materials, with a very interactive approach.
Nicholas ,
I agree, critical thinking and research are "cross-curricula" skills that are evident in every course that a student takes. Similar to the "scientific method", if students are able to effectively research concepts, they will have a blueprint for success in all of their classes.
Tremayne Simpson
I would love to add something like this to my course and will hopefully create something similar for each course I teach.
