handouts
I don't do handouts unless it's something they are supposed to be working on. If I am lecturing and I need their attention, handouts and components being given out or circulated can divert the students attention.
Yes, it does depend on the teaching environment. In a face-to-face class, I provide a "resource packet" for each unit, but it is passed out only after we have had a class session on the unit. However, teaching online, handouts are a must, but I keep them brief and to the point.
Hi Robert,
Good example of tailoring your message to the students you have. Some like their content to be shared in one way, such as handouts and others more hands on. In both cases as their instructor you are matching their needs to your delivery.
Gary
I think your right about that! It does depend on the class your teaching as well as the students your trying to reach. I teach adult computer classes, I would never teach without handouts, they want something they can relate to. However, I also teach at a career school and there I don't use as many handouts being they relate quite well with computers from the get go.
i do use handouts but i only give them out after the lecture. the students are to use them as a review for the exam that is to be given later.
I agree. In my opinion, handouts serve its purpose very well. It is a quick reference and much easier to bring around.
I guess it depends on what class it is.
as mentioned above by Cheryl because of the potential distraction, they are often incorporated into a reader. The passing out of the handout, and the need to read the information on it, can be a distraction. In addition it assures that the handout will be available for use as support material used during the classroom time.
Most people are visual, and therefore,a summary with bullets or succinct steps, helpful hints for remembering are often a part of handouts or written tools that supplement other resources (textbook, CD, etc.)
handouts can be a distraction but are needed to provide a major point some times I hand out these before lecture starts and tell the class to use them in the labs as they are needed
Hi Jovelyn,
We've pretty much eliminated the need for "handouts" by providing the students with a course "reader" that has all the forms, and study materials that would typically become handouts thus they are not distractors but tools. Students like them.
Cheryl
In our case, hand-outs helps a lot. We try to include in the hand-outs some simplified illustrations, in a way that students would understand certain topics easily and also it serves as an immediate consultant.
In the courses I teach we have many handouts and I agree with Harry to the point of having to many handouts can be a distraction. The last class I taught I cut back on handouts and felt it actually helped class grades. Some handouts are required because sometimes the course material is not enough to re-enforce the learning activity.
