Excellent. Here is a sample of my final discussion.
"Please take a moment to express your thoughts on this course? There are no wrong answers, I will be sharing your thoughts with the Dean and other Professors to make this class better for future students. So, feel free to share openly."
Thanks Anthony for ideas on learning dynamics.
There have been a number of books and articles written about the learning dynamics of the current generation of students, often referred to as the Net Generation. A number of key different learning characteristics are identified by the authors. For example:
Educating the Net Generation
A New EDUCAUSE e-Book
Celtic Knot
The Net Generation has grown up with information technology. The aptitudes, attitudes, expectations, and learning styles of Net Gen students reflect the environment in which they were raised—one that is decidedly different from that which existed when faculty and administrators were growing up.
This collection explores the Net Gen and the implications for institutions in areas such as teaching, service, learning space design, faculty development, and curriculum. Contributions by educators and students are included.
1) Attention span
2) Need for visual and audio stimulation
3) Multi-tasking
4) Need for immediate satisfaction in terms of instructor feedback
5) Lack of patience with the learning process
Anthony J. Matias
The best ways to further develop and enhance instructional style are listening, understanding, and acquiring.
Understanding is a critical component in developing instructional style because one must understand oneself in order to evolve as an instructor. Second, listening is a crucial component; colleagues and students will aid instructional evolution. Finally, the acquisition of knowledge is vital to the enhancement of instructional style.
Amy Branch
Angela, I find that when students have difficulties understanding the content real world examples are always a good solution. It teaches them to think outside the box.
I also read the survey comments provided by students at the end of the course, and look for what aspects of the course worked best and what aspects could be improved. I also have a discussion question at the end of the term that asks students what they considered the most important or valuable aspect of the course. Each term, I make adjustments to my course content and delivery based on student responses.
In addition, I try to "check-in" with students during each class to make sure that I am aware of their needs of breaks or opportunities to ask questions.
--Dawn
The student opinion polls seem to be a reliable source to measure how well I am doing in the classroom. Depending on the ratings I can make changes if necessary in my instructional style.
Hi Angela,
By helping your students to see the connection between content and application you are giving them a solid foundation for success in their career. This type of education is what helps set a graduate apart from others and makes them a good candidate for employment.
Gary
My teaching sessions, outside of hands-on clinical experience, are brief and come at the end of the day. I need to develop intensely engaging lessons that help students interrelate what they have learned in the classroom with what they have seen and done in the practical setting.
Speak slower, learn students style of learning and apply to my technique.
Hi Evan,
Your method is how instructional improvement continues. Reflection is a key element in this process and by looking at student performance you can see how effective you have been. In going over the student responses is there a common theme that emerges or is it different each time you teach the course?
Gary
Hi Chet,
I teach evening classes as well and it is a challenge to keep them engaged as the ten o'clock hour rolls around. I like to use the case study approach like you do because it keeps them focused on the class through the discussions and problem solving. Makes the end of the class go by faster.
Gary
I pay close attention to how students do on assessments and take them personally. I don't beat myself up it, but if students don't do well on an assignment, I go back to my chats and try to find areas where I can improve in relating the material in future classes. If I see that there are a number of students who are making the same mistake, I want to make sure that it wasn't because I wasn't clear or wasn't thorough enough in how I conveyed the information.
3 by 5 cards with sdudents name on them
I like to conduct in class group work, particularly at the end of the class session to re-energize the class as the evening fades away Each ad hoc team is tasked with a short case analysis reflective of the evening's topic.
The students tend to like this approach and I also review my end of term evaluation reports to look for areas of improvement too.
For me, relevance is key. I try to use current trends or recent news items to make a point about a particular subject and to foster discussion, so long as it's relevant to the class material.
I also try to bring everything back to the students' chosen career field. Sometimes I have to get creative (I often employ analogies/metaphors) to make a viable connection between the class material and the career field at large; but when the technique is successful, I am rewarded with knowing nods instead of blank stares.
I agree because each class has it's very own style;many of my students enjoy working as a team,others like to work one on one, so depending on the students in my class. I change the way I present the material.
Hello, I use combination of different teaching styles depending on my students' profile and needs. Anwar
I believe that one should try different styles to find one that works for them and the course as well as the students. What works for one teacher might not work for another. We all have different personalities, work experience as well as education and training.
Hi Michelle,
Can you develop a plan for doing a mini-lecture of 15-20 minutes and then activities? You are already doing this based upon your comments and you can see how the students perk up during the discussion times so it should be easy for you to do. With a well thought out strategy you will be able to cover the 2 hour session easily with this format.
Gary
