I like to give my student Health Care related scenarios that require them to think outside the box. If they get worksheets or any sort of material in class they know there's more to it than the so common "multiple choice a,b,c" answer. In the Health Care field there is no such thing as "one size fits all" & I always incourage my students to go beyond the easy/practical answer to the complex one.
Hi Dawn,
Students love it when real learning takes place in the classroom. Scenarios give students a taste of what things are like in the real world.
Patricia Scales
I teach EKG Rhythm interpretation. I love the case scenarios. They give the student a case and a rythm strip along with a series of questions. This really allows the students to use their critcial thinking skills and apply what they have learned during the lecture in class
Hi Mark,
Scenario-based learning promotes applicability to the real world.
Patricia Scales
In my Presentation Skills class, we discuss ten types of fallacies. The students are then given a worksheet with eight fallacies represented. They are encouraged to work in pairs or groups to decide which fallacy is which. Then we discuss the answers as a class, making sure everyone has an understanding of the fallacies. This exercise requires that they look for key words that help define each example as a certain fallacy and to think through each statement to determine the fallacy.
In my Presentation Skills class, we discuss ten types of fallacies. The students are then given a worksheet with eight fallacies represented. They are encouraged to work in pairs or groups to decide which fallacy is which. Then we discuss the answers as a class, making sure everyone has an understanding of the fallacies. This exercise requires that they look for key words that help define each example as a certain fallacy and to think through each statement to determine the fallacy.
In my criminal justice courses, I will have students review a real or fictitious scenario regarding our topic for the day. Based on the scenario, I will have them work in groups to develop a checklist to use by others who might be investigating a similar case. It seems to help them think critically about the topic and often incites an interesting discussion among the groups.
I teach nutrition and incorporate the following methods:
case studies
role playing
hands-on labs (i.e., reading food labels, grocery store field trip and meal planning)
Hi David,
What a great scenario to have students do as the scenario applies to the real world. You made me think as a customer with your response. I can see how this activity can generate much critical thinking.
Patricia Scales
Hi Patricia,
I teach culinary and one activity we do is practicing live restaurant service with make believe customers who order food. Each student has a different job to do, but the important factor is that priorities are constantly changing. They have to think rationally about what action to take in regards to preparing the food in a timely manner, making the food taste good, making it look good, as well as practicing all of the techniques they have been shown. When under pressure, the students find that it is harder to stick to high standards. I tell them that it is important to think about what is most important. Making the food the right way, that is, making it taste and look as good as possible. If it’s a little late, it’ not okay, but two wrongs do not make one right.
Hi Tom,
Great activities to teach students the fundamentals.
Patricia Scales
I teach audio and in the beginning it is more science than audio. The first thing the student must learn is microphones. Two things I have found very useful is I have them make a microphone book with a picture and the specs of specific microphones I have given them. The second thing is I just get basic elements of the different types of microphones such as magnets and foil ribbons and have them build mock microphones. Once they can relate to what goes inside they better understand how they work.
Hi Patrick,
Students should be challenged to think through things on their own because on the job the thinking has to take place on their part.
Patricia Scales
Hi Changhiz,
You do a fine job in using a wide variety of exercises to get students involved and thinking. I can tell your students probably do not get bored any more becaue of the variations you use in your teaching.
Patricia Scales
Hi Karen,
Super way to get students involved. I am sure this excercise generates a lot of good discussion, and students learn from it.
Patricia Scales
In a website evaluation workshop that I developed and teach, students are given a list of reliable medical websites and must choose one website, visit the site, and answer some basic questions about the site. Students then compare and contrast their reliable site with a popular medical website that is less comprehensive and reliable and has many ads. This comes after a 20-minute lecture and discussion where we talk about best practices for website evaluation. After the activity, the class comes back together to discuss what they found.
I often monitor my stydent's learning by asking them to give me feedback, even though I started my teaching carrier and emulating the old style of professor centered method of teaching. I noticed my students often got board and started day dreaming, or even snoozing right in front of me. But I have been able to get them engaged by a few strategies. I often check on the student and interacting with then. I never sit behind my desk. Walking through my student, one on one exchange, and verification of discussed point has been very effective. Sometimes, having one student to explain a subject to the other student effectively enhances critical thinking. The critical thinking needs various sources of material presentation. Sometimes a short vedeo from youtube, a web site, a lecture or field trip can facilitate critical thinking. When my student find the relevance of their learning and the application of their acquired knowledge they become more involved in critical thinking.
I challenge the students into critical thinking by making their own research on techniques, ingredients, recipes... participation is important at this point and quizzes can evaluate their level of learning.
Hi Stephen,
Students really do get to thinking when they are involved in class discussion.
Patricia Scales
Have students review and discuss current event topics and provide a point ot view for discussion.
