teaching with fun
always think outside the bun when teaching to a variety of students.
Hi James,
I love your fun nature! I got excited just from reading your response! I know your student love your classes! When fun is involved with learning, students do not forget the information.
Patricia Scales
Outside the Bun I love that, you must be in culinary! I like to think outside the box, and love to work with props! Presently trying to figure out the app for my Iphone which is a sound board. Adding sound effects to a lecture demo is a great way to think out side of "the Bun"
Today although it is risky durning icecream production I played eddie murphy "ice cream man" from the 80's although it is off topic it keeps my students focused on what needs to get done.
The best part is the will never forget this day in class.
Teaching with fun ROCKS!
Hi Michael,
I agree 100%! Everyone loves it when fun is involved!
Patricia Scales
I believe when the students are having fun they learn and participate more.
It's also fun to have the students make up their own game. This has them brainstorm together, work together, and come up with something they can be proud of. This way they can start thinking outside their box.
Hi Gina,
Nicely stated! When students take ownership in their education, they really do appreciate and enjoy it more.
Patricia Scales
I think it doesn't even matter if your teaching a variety of students or not. Keeping it interesting for all types of students is important and when they become "active" in their own learning they then have a tendancy to care more as welll as learn.
Hi Scott,
As instructors we must keep our students engaged. Most students enjoy having fun while learning, and they retain the information when fun is involved.
Patricia Scales
Terry, I agree with your thinking here. Education should be fun and interactive. When the students are laughing they are listening to what you have to say and want this experience to continue. When they are bored they will check out from your presentation, and then find some other way of stimulating their brain. This is usually not the result that either of you really wanted.
I find that when reviewing with students for a test, putting it into a game will help them retain the information better.
Hi Ariane,
We have some competitive students, and they will try their hardest to out shine another student, thus improving themselves.
Patricia Scales
Absolutely. I have found competition to be a great tool to get the students to participate in a lesson.
Hi Ariane,
Competition is not a bad thing. It can make students rise to the challenge.
Patricia Scales
Hi Libi (and everyone else),
My name is Ariane. I just wanted to comment that I do the same thing as well, minus the prizes. I find that if there is a particularly competitive person in class, then the whole class takes up that competitive spirit and everybody enjoys the activity.
I'm also going to try to do a scavenger hunt activity with my students where I break them into teams, and they must use different resources to answer the questions on the list. The resources can include, but are not limited to, the internet, the library, other instructors, each other. We'll see how that goes.
Hi Libi,
Even adult students get excited about winning prizes. A great combination is mixing fun with learning.
Patricia Scales
I actually have educational games and have them team up and have 2 teams. The winning team gets a small prize
Hi Eon,
There are many times when I teach that I do put myself in the student's place, and then I raise them to my level of expectation.
Patricia
Terry
agree with you on the outside the bun concept. the students today need more creative stimuli to make them more productive. you have to almost go to their level of thinking first and then work them up to the higher level you want to achive.
Eon
Hi Terry,
Students like games, scenarios, role playing, reverse role playing, simulations, and technology as fun ways to learn.
Patricia
