Textbook questions
I have been using PowerPoint for my presentations and am now learning that having the students do actual bookwork is helping them learn.
I agree that bookwork is more effective. Since actual makes them open the book and see at the time I am lecturing.
Hi Morgan-
I agree with your statement about a short course in note taking for students. I find that generally there are two main categories that the students fall into without coaching. Some students take no notes and some try to write down everything said or everything that appears on the PowerPoint. It takes practice to write key phrases or summarize, and most students do not know how.
Hi Antoinette,
I like to use them as well. I have had the same results as you have experienced. I think they really enhance the learning process for students.
Gary
I always used guided outlines when I taught in the classroom. My students loved it because they didn't have to figure out what they needed to write in the notes and it helped condense the notes for them. Whenever we had a lecture class and there were no guided notes, my students would be disappointed.
I like to save the text book questions for the current class, and use them as a homework assignment that will be covered for the next class session . This serves two main purposes. 1: It provides a quick review of the material covered in the previous class, and 2: Since class participation is a required weighted grade, I ask the students to answer them through discussion. This really helps the silent/shy students to feel more confident to speak out having previously gone over the material.
Edith I also find this problem so I makeup worksheets based on the texbook so they have to read the book to complete the worksheet.
The worksheets have terms, matching, true/false and fill ins.
I think this explains the necessity of employing a variety of techniques in the classroom. PPT's, bookwork, hoomework, classroom demos, etc. should be utilized to keep the students interested, motivated and on track.
Hi Morgan,
Good point about note taking. I use guided notes where some of the content is provided and then certain key points have to be written down. This way the students aren't spending all of their time taking notes but are still accountable to themselves for the content that has to be written down.
Gary
In the beginning with PPTs I was handing them out. The students were not taking notes and not attending classes; I have since quit handing them out which presents another set of issues: Those that take longer to write notes. A good short-course on note-writing is essential!
Hi Angela,
You are on the right track with your approach. Keep it up. Get them involved as much as you possibility can with integrated hands on activities and content retention will increase.
Gary
I agree that the actual bookwork enhances the learning. However, they need to have the information given in the chapter and many students do NOT read the textbook nor review the powerpoints when they are posted on the portal. So without that benefit, jumping into bookwork is difficult. So the challenge is to get them to PREPARE PRIOR to the class.
