Get Your Students Hired
I learned that 75% of the population are visual learners during an instructor seminar. I'm in the dental field and teach lecture and lab. What has worked great for my classes is to bring a visual aide from lab and present it during lecture. This aide correlates with the daily objectives. It could be a series of dental x-rays-some correct and some with errors. I break the class into groups and have them chose which x-rays are correct and which are not; each group has a different series. when done each group presents their analysis. This approach is low risk because they are actively pursuing their analysis together and presenting as a group. At the end you will have one big group discussion for sure! :-D This works best if group members are switched each time you use this method. Ines
I agree with that-I will get a few students who are always resistant to working in a group and prefer to work on their own ( I was like that as a student too) so I don't force them. But I know working with someone and working together will be needed in their careeres
Working in groups is a great tool I use as well. I divide the class into 4 groups with only one having the correct example. The groups have to evaluate and defend why they think their example is the correct one.
Hi Jeannie,
Group settings do work well for most students, however I have found that some students rather work alone.
Patricia
I like point you made about switching group members every time. The weakness in my group activities is that it's always the same groups. Sometimes they get lazy and don't challenge each other, or wind up discussing other things besides the activity. I also like the idea of making sure there is an A student in every group.
Hi Mark,
I like your response! Sometimes it is just as simple as putting ourselves in our students' shoes.
Patricia
Put yourself in their shoes. Try to imagine yourself taking your class. Now, imagine yourself taking it at 10 o'clock at night. What would you like to DO to make the class more interesting? Once you answer that question, then just prepare that same activity for your students. "Walk a mile in their shoes."
Hi Victoria,
Students enjoy solving practical scenarios, role playing, simulations, and group teaching.
Patricia
I have been having students complete a survey to help them figure out their learning style. I have to say that the majority of my students are active learners. They seem to do well with games, group activities, etc. I just need to think of more activities.
My Anatomy & Physiology class is mainly a lecture class with out a laboratory. But I have found that I can generate student participation and teamwork when I bring items from a neighborhood market such as pig hearts, kidneys, stomachs, and other pig body parts for the class to dissect. We have to use cutting boards and rubber gloves borrowed from the phlebotomy class, but the students are energized by actually touching and seeing anatomy that they had only seem as pictures in their text book. The cost of these "lab sessions" is minimal, and I cook the leftovers for my cats.
I love using visual aides to help my students learn. I think they get more out of it when they can what you're talking about. I teach legal classes and it is always nice to be able to show them what a document looks like and what should be in it. It helps them understand more of what you are telling them and they like working with things that they will actually see in their professional lives.
Hi Ines,
I am sure your students have a lot to talk about once they decide which x-rays are right/wrong. When students put their brains together it is amazing what they come up with. They tend to do a great job when working in groups.
Patricia