[Support Material, Notes, and Assessment
Every time I teach the same class I always review previous notes, tests, discussion questions, power point presentations and visual aids. I always learn something new, either from my own studies or those of the students. With time I have been able to spot those students that need additional encouragement, or projects to make them feel as though they are part of the class.
I like that idea. I might ask my students to write a brief paragraph what they like or what they felt was the most informative part of that subject or what would they change. This will give me a better idea if i need to add to or change something.
I do this as well - many times the student's don't give me much input but there are some that do and it is very helpful.
This is a great idea. I had used this technique when I first began teaching. Thank you for the reminder that it still is a very useful tool.
Jennie,
Interesting. It seems as if they are prioritizing their time, however they are not reviewing the alignment of the tasks and how they are related. While planning their time they should include the ancillary items (breakfast, gas station, etc.) when setting their alarm clocks.
Tremayne Simpson
Absolutely, They are aware and they are inclined to seek improvement; They do not lije to be like that; As an example, one of he students have told me that she sets the clock alarm to 2 hours before the supposed time to leave the house;but she does not even understand why she walks around the house doing due things for school or home and she ends leaving the house not on time to get on time on to school. Anoher student has told me that even if she is ready to leave the house she ends in a gas station because her tank is empty, or ends in a cafeteria buying breakfast because she believes she might be on time regardless. So, they know, they try, but it is something wrong with the way they see time.
Jennie,
Thank you for the clarification. Do you find that the students are aware of their time management deficiencies and are they inclined to seek improvements?
Tremayne Simpson
I have seen this behavior in both: international and Hispanic-American students; I think the family culture background is what make the differences; it is not if they were born her or if they are international. Of course, it is not that everyone is going to be stereotyped; but the majority behaves in that way.
Jennie,
I feel that it is always best to limit the text on the slides. The slides should only contain captions/brief descriptions and visuals. I find that students are more apt to pay attention to the instructor when they are not "feverishly" trying to write down a lot of text from the PowerPoint presentation.
Tremayne Simpson
I am absolutely in agreement with you. My students actually laugh at me, because my powerpoints are always updated with better picures, more picures, more charts, more diagrams, more visual aids. I do update them sometimes on a daily basis. I strongly believe that if you have a very detailing visual powerpoint presentation you will reach the majority of your students since the majority of our students are "visual learners"; Of course i also add hands-on for the kinesthetic learners and visual-auditory videos and lecture for the Auditory learners.
Eric ,
In addition, sometimes student questions can enable the instructor to conduct further research on a particular, course-related topic. In many cases, Professional development ideas can be cultivated from classroom discussions.
Tremayne Simpson
I absolutely do the same thing. By reviewing the notes, lecture material, power points and assesments I find that sometimes I learn something new or even am reminded of a fact, process or a technique.
I do the same thing, I let each student evaluate the course content, how it was taught and how they liked my teaching style. I get some great feedback to improve the course for the next group of students and my current students feel they have a voice in their education.
Harry and Tina,
I also use these approaches, in order to receive student feedback. In addition (at the end of the course), I ask them to provide a summary for how they will apply what they learned for the course into their daily lives. This summary is posted on the student discussion board, which gives them a final opportunity to interact with their course classmates.
Tremayne Simpson
Harry,
I could not agree with you more. At the end of each semester I ask my student to write a breif paragraph to express what they felt was the most informative part of the course was, and if I could improve the course what would their sugestion be.
I find that the students are very open with their sugestion, and it helps me become a better instructor.
