Lecture notes and preparation
The first time I taught a class was a challange due to my expectations was to high of my students in a beginning A & P class. The lectures notes which I put in an outline style helped dramatically because sometimes I would not go into enough detail to explain a subject because I thought everyone was always on the same page.
When lecturing from power poing, I'll write notes down from power and explain as and it helps students to under the subject better.
Claudia,
I also agree with this approach. In order to provide the students with an effective learning experience, an instructor has to have an idea about their prior subject knowledge. Providing a diagnostic test or general review, is an excellent method for obtaining this information.
Tremayne Simpson
I agree, Kareneen. I use a pretest occasionally, but I do start at the "beginning" with the first
class and if it is review for some - so be it. For others, it is a necessity - without the basics, they will be lost. With the kind of students, we have, I cannot assume that they are where they should be on the first day of class.
I agree it is important to collaborate with previous instructors to make sure the knowledge base is adequate for the upper level courses. It is also helpful for students if you are willing to briefly review these basics to make the transition from base knowledge to applicable understanding in an upper level course. Sometimes if a student doesn't see the relevance of a core course it is difficult to achieve retention. In an upper level course, you can make that tie in if you review a little, and then tie in how relevant the upper level course is to real world employment.
No, we do not have prerquisites, so there is no opportunity for review. I wish every student could start with a term that covers the basics, but that isn't the case.
Kareneen,
Do you typically assign a portion of the course (perhaps the first two weeks), for prerequisite material review?
Tremayne Simpson
I start every class with the assumption that my students don't have the basic information. I try not to bore them with repeat information, but I have to make sure they know the basics. It takes time initially, but it is less of an effort than having to backtrack after teaching a subject and realizing my students don't understand the prerequisite information.
Janna,
I agree that it can be quite frustrating to realize that students have not retained previously gained knowledge. I have found that it is a great idea to collaborate with the instructors of the prerequisite courses, to ensure that the students are being prepared for the next-level class.
Tremayne Simpson
There will always be classes with all students on different levels. It is up to an instructor to observe their students levels of accomplishments in order to help each class member succeed.
I keep finding, on almost a daily basis, that I am unclear about what has been covered in the previous classes. Its frustrating when the students don't have some of the very basic knowledge. I am beginning to understand that I cannot assume they know anything and therefor have to approach all information as if it will be brand new, and then compliment them when they know the information.
