Keeping it fun...
One of the things we focus on in our school is "keyboard commands" with the application we teach.
After several weeks, if the students are STILL using the mouse instead of key commands, I have them wear an "Uncle Sam"-style hat that I found for $2.00 at a local party-store.
I placed a sign on the front of the hat that says "I used the mouse to switch edit tools"
Any student guilty of the offense must wear the hat until our break-time.
No student has ever felt intimidated by this, and it always seems to keep the others on their toes so they will not have to wear the hat!
Just a quick idea for the forum.
yes- 23 years in the animal business and still excited about new and exciting changes coming. can't think of anything else i'd really like to do.
It is always a great idea that 'to keep the students awake' in the class. Most of the students especially ' working adult students' come to the class with lot of stress from their work, family, etc. I am a graduate student as well as an instructor at the same time. I rarely found classes that was informative and enjoyable. Most of the instructors keep their students stressed with their assignments,class discussions, presentations, journal clubs... that they have to finish within a short amount of time. Power point presentations get sometimes too boring or loaded with information. I always put some slides with cartoon pictures, animations,or some jokes which makes the students laugh. A good laughter makes them awake and refreshed!
I have students in a lab situation only, and I am twice as old as some of them and have never ran into a generation gap. I think this is cause of respecting them and having learning fun. I tell them we will have fun but saftey must be first. I also talk to them as equals and respect what they say.
I start focusing on their individual weaknesses and try work on building them up so they cease to be weaknesses. I explain to the students that they will be working on different skills because just like people who grocery shop for different foods because they have different needs, we will do the same in the classroom. Students seem to respect this view and are more respectful to others with different weaknesses.
42 years enjoying the culinary field and teaching, still counting and still having a blast.
Hi Jose,
I always enjoying hearing from individuals that really enjoy doing what they are doing. You have the best of both worlds, you really enjoying the culinary field and you get to share your knowledge and expertise as well. Keep up the good work.
Gary
MY FATHER TOLD ME ONCE, WHEN I WAS A LITTLE KID THAT MOST SUCCESS IN LIFE COMES FROM FINDING YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT, FIND A PROFESSION THAT CLOSLY MATCHES YOUR PASSION AND HAVE FUN DOING IT. I HAVE ENJOYED ALL MY 27 YEARS IN THE CULINARY FIELD AND COUNTING.
Great use of different learning abilities, students listen to each other, and express concepts in away they under stand. Sometimes there is a genreation gap
Bernie
I will use the students that pick things up a little faster to help out the students that may be struggling with some of the concepts being taught in lab gruop settings to raise confidence levels for the whole class.
I involve the whole class in open forums and have them teach each other in a positive atmosphere.
ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS I TELL THE STUDENTS I HAVE ONE QUESTION AND IF THEY GET IT WRONG OR SPELL IT WRONG OR COPY THE PERSON NEXT TO THEM THEY WILL FAIL THE CLASS AFTER A DRUM ROLL I GIVE THEM THE QUESTION LAST NAME FIRST NAME MIDDLE INITAL
Some of my subject matter is very dry and after about 90 minutes or so I can see an eye or two slipping down. When this happens I have everyone stand and do booty breaks and start singing, shake-shake-shake shake your boooooty. I make everyone put their arms up and wiggle in a circle to the right then to the left. I call it my classroom choreography moment. If it happens again I have them do the Macarena. They are always awake for the rest of the class!
