Teaching Methods
I use diversity in my teaching methods thorough out my class lecture and labs. Active learning processes are very effective for students to comprehend the new techniques.
I do my very best to add hands on activity and props when i have to lecture in class, plus the use of audio a video equipment helps
Hi Gwendolyn,
Students really do seem more engaged when they have hands-on activities to do.
Patricia Scales
Active learning is the best way to really get involved in student activities. Using active learning methods will also help the instructor to keep the attention of the students.
Hi Marvin,
Yes, things make better sense to most students when they can put book theory into action. Some students have to to do it in order to get it.
Patricia Scales
My class is an automotive class. We are in lab taking apart mechanical parts involved in the powertrain. Students must listen to a lecture about how the part functions and then we go to lab. Many times its like a light clicks on. What we have read in class is now real in their mind and all of a sudden it makes sense.
Hi Thomas,
using diversity in teaching through out class lecture and labs is a fun way to keep students engaged. However, this can be a challenge for some the classes due to lack of time.
Hi Wendy,
Even adult learners have short attention spans. It seems like you can hardly get anything done in 10 minutes, but obviously you can, and it works. You lose students after having long drawn out lessons with just pure lecture.
Patricia Scales
Hi, Barbara,
I recently had a chance to speak with a professor at a Massachusetts university. His method to counteract this phenonmenon is to institute what he calls the 10-minute rule. He says he hardly ever does anything for any longer than 10 minutes at a time - lecture, class discussion, video, whatever. I found it to be the best part of our discussion.
Wendy
Hi Debbie,
I love a variation of teaching methods, such as role playing, mock learning, scenarios, case studies, peer teaching, field trips, guest speakers, etc. Students love it when you give them variety.
Patricia Scales
I like to find different ways to engage students.
I have found that I can adapt some of the activities that I used when I taught high school to the career college setting. I found it helpful to get their feedback on which activities they find most helpful.
Hi Alan,
Great way to make something work in everyone's favor that students love. Students live by these cell phones. Students are more interested in the assignment if they are allowed to use their cell phone.
Patricia Scales
This question comes up in meeting's all time. Cell phones. Students are on them all the time, put them away ect. to put them in a basket. You can have them on breaks. Well, I finally had enough. I have made games with them using there cell phones. I will be giving a lecture and ask questions, I make them text the answers to me. I will even text/e-mail the assignment to them. I work with it, not against it. It was becoming exhausting working against it. My classes, love it. I have made it a goal of mine to find apps that are free that have to do with our program. Just amazing how they are on it.
Hi Richard,
Fun activity and a great learning tool, even adult students love prizes.
Patricia Scales
I feel it is very important to have the students involved in the classroom during lecture. I like to write a question on o card and place in an envelope and usually depends on the class size how many i pass out randomly and during the lecture i will have a student read the question and respond then i reward them with a small gift that is useful while in school such as highlighters, pens so forth
Hi Barbara,
I concur! Do not allow the use of cell phones/laptops during videos. It is hard to stay away from these devices in most situations. These devices are known to be the way of the world. People want to constantly know what's going on, and they live by cell phones/computers to find out.
Patricia Scales
Over the last 10 years, I have seen a significant decline in the ability of students to concentrate for very long on any one teaching method. I used to be able to show a 45 minute video and have students
remain interested for the entire class. Now, they are very easily distracted, and turn to cell phones and laptops after 10 or 15 minutes. I teach law, which requires absorbing a lot of information in a relatively short period of time. It is very difficult for me to come up with active learning strategies that engage all students all the time. There will always be those who are always engaged, and willing to learn, and there will always be those who want to do as little as possible.
Hi Thomas,
Students like variation in their learning. Instructors should always find creative ways to present the lesson. Students love being actively involved during the learning process.
Patricia Scales
