Hi Scott,
Great way to test one's knowledge base by allowing them to do what you have lectured and shown. Students have to think critically when they have to do something on their own as such.
Patricia Scales
One of the activities that involves critical thinking in my class is reassembling an engine. I guide the class through the disassembly process, giving them tips and instruction along the way. After the engine is completely apart, I have them put it back together on their own, making sure everything is done correctly.
Hi Sharon,
As educators we need to test our students abilities as often as possible to ensure they know their information in order to be successful in the workplace.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jill,
This is an awesome way to get students accustom to what they will encounter in the workplace. This exercise also generates critical thinking.
Patricia Scales
It is important to utilize the student ability to recall patient dignosis, functional status,plan of care and than apply a therapeutic intervention
My students are learning massage. They have to look at a health intake form and interview their clients. Then they must determine which conditions can be helped, or must be avoided during massage. They use this information to create and carry out their treatment plans.
Hi Wendy,
I try to incorporate teaching techniques to reach all types of learners. Visual is always a good way to get students to a better level of understanding.
Patricia Scales
You know that is a great idea, thank you! I do that similiar thing as an end of the quarter project but I think it would be more beneficial done throughout the quarter because everyone learns differently.
Some students have a harder time processing a lecture than others and if it was proposed a different way by a fellow student, they may have a better chance at grasping it.
How time consuming do you find it to be?
Hi Tim,
Great step-by-step project to promote critical thinking. Students need to understand how order is very important to thinking critically.
Patricia Scales
Hi Doug,
Three brains are certainly better than one. Students tend to really do well in group work.
Patricia Scales
Hi James,
It will surprise you how much students can really do without us coming to their rescue so quickly. They can perform if they try hard enough. It is easy to stop trying when you know the instructor will jump in quickly to save you.
Patricia Scales
Hi Franco,
These are certainly questions that students will encounter in the workplace. You are really getting your students job ready.
Patricia Scales
I teach a pathophysiology class. Some of the critical thinking questions that I ask and have to ask: What is the cause of the disease? What are the sign and symptoms? Why do they have these symptoms? How will you treat this disease?
How can you prevent this disease from occuring?
I have the students use equipment central to our industry with guidance for several days, then have them work in groups without guidance with the equipment to complete a task. I find that they learn a lot more when they are forced to figure it out for themselves and with each other's help.
Groups of three students work together to solve questions that involve all of the available resources. They can discuss their results and be active with communicating to the instructor for guidance to solve problems
Quite often, when reassembling an engine, there are specific steps and procedures involved. I try to walk around the classroom as much as possible when they are in lab to observe their work. One of the things that requires critical thinking is the proper order of the steps. Without critical thinking, the student may have to go back and disassemble the engine a second time to correctly install the part.
Hi Jonathan,
Awesome! Students will better know how to tweak their cover letter and resume from having done an assignment as such while being in college. It takes tailoring your resume and cover letter to the job posting to better compete with others.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jan,
I love it! This type of learning certainly gives the students a dose of what it is like in the real world. This better prepares a student for the workplace.
Patricia Scales
In Career Management, my students have to find a job posting and tailor their resume and cover letter to that job. They thus have to decide what qualifications/experience is most appropriate for that job and make their resumes and cover letters an appropriate match.
Whenever possible I like to use fictional patient case studies, where the students have to read all of the patient information, discuss it amongst themselves, consider all the variables, and come up with appropriate treatments, diagnoses, etc. It gets them engaged and requires them to put all the pieces together.
