Hi Kimberly,
You are right on with your instructional planning. You are offering "buffet" learning since you are offering a variety of learning opportunities so the students can select different ways of learning about concepts and content. I teach 3 hour plus classes myself and I have to work hard at providing variety to and for my students in order to keep them engaged.
Gary
Hi Patricia,
Good plan. This lets the students see how the transfer of knowledge is important to their career success. They get to see the value of what they are learning in a dramatic way.
Gary
I try to collectively implement several teaching styles within each lecture to serve the varied leaning styles within the classroom. I have powerpoint slides for every lecture for the visual learners, I provide them a copy of the powerpoint slides for the written word learners, I devliver my lecture out loud for the auditory learners, and I assign worksheets to be completed in class for the tactile students who need to work things out with their hands. I also try to incorporate short videos when applicable to break up the amount of time I am talking to the students. My classes are generally long, 3 or more hours. No students wants to sit around and listen to their instructor talk for 3+ hours. So I try to incorporate other ways that the material can be presented to them other than just hearing it from me.
In my class I try to keep current on industry trends and present them to the class
As a clinical nursing instructor, I try to track closely with the theory instructor and as much as I am able, I try make patient assignments that most closely align with the content area of the classroom. This reinforces knowledge by giving them a hands on opportunity to apply what they are learning.
Hi Kenneth,
I commend you for your preparation efforts. I know your students benefit from the dedication you show of being a well prepared teacher. It sounds like you have found a style that is effective and efficient and meets the needs of your students. Keep up the good work.
Gary
The class I teach is basically an imparting of information that the students must absorb and retain. So it does not involve a direct learning of skills or procedures where demostration would be most effective. Probably the most effective technique to teach this course is lecture. But I must vary my lecture style or I will bore my students to death, no matter how good of a lecturer I may be. What I do to vary lectures is engage in a lot of question and answer discussions...where the students must provide answers to my questions on the material for that class. I also encourage them to provide me with real world examples, either directly from their personal lives (which is always better) or work live. I may also provide examples based on my knowledge and experience in the field. I also make liberal use of Power Point presentations to organize the lecture and provide visual content.
To prepare myself, I write up very detailed lecture notes of the material I am due to cover that class and marry it to the Power Point presentation. In these notes, I provide plenty of questions to encourage discussion. I also read or reread the chapter(s) to make the material fresh in my mind. I also refearse in my mind the course of lecture and discussion to prevent 'dry spots." I even plan on when to take breaks to keep the students fresh.
I also like to role-play but some students don't feel as comfortable role-playing as others so I have to be careful in what I choose to role-play with.
I am also a real stickler for preparation. I want to be fully prepared before class begins to avoid the appearance of disorganization or not knowing the material throughly. Maybe it's a pride thing, but I hate to not be prepared or not have the proper knowledge at my disposal.
To conclude, although I would like to engage in a variety of strategies, the one I most adhere to is lecture, Power Point, and discusssion. These appear to meet the course requirements better.
Hi Matthew,
Good balance to your instructional delivery. You are hitting upon all of the different learning preferences with your approach. This should get all of the students involved in the learning process.
Gary
Using PowerPoint is great for a lot of students, using text and pictures. While lecturing, students hear my view on the subject, and how I relate it to the industry. As long as the student did their homework to prepare for class, it's almost a review of the subject matter, which should inspire questions. It also helps re-enforce with the use of visualization of the subject matter. I also have handouts that help with studying, and bring forth more detailed information that is better off being read on their own time, instead of tying up classroom time. Sometimes I just give a verbal lecture, to break up the delivery pattern. PowerPoint is great, but it doesn't work for everyone all the time, and it can come across as "reading the lecture" if you don't know how to use it correctly. Props can be fun to bring to class as well, and can engage people in discussion at ease.
Hi James,
Thank you for the great suggestions. All of these learning strategies will help to keep the students engaged and interested in the course, not to mention they will have some fun doing it.
Gary
Game playing to address memorization of what some students might consider tedious or irrelevant facts. Using Jeopardy! as a model we reveal the definition or steps and ask for identification of the process.
I also like to offer a Flash Challenge where products are laid out and students need to brainstorm to create something within a time limit. A bookstore voucher or some small award is used as a carrot.
Case study is a good way for us to help students understand time management and resource utilization. We present a scenario with some specifics and ask for a "road map" or plan for the situation. We allow for discussiion time and then reveal what happened in the actual situation. Students are then asked to write a reflection on the experience.
If the students see the material used in a "real world" setting they're happy and motivated to participate.
Hi Katrina,
Good point about how learning preferences can change depending on the situation or time of day. Since I teach from 4 until 10 pm I am very much aware of how I need to keep my students moving and involved with tactile activities if I am going to them engaged throughout the class.
Gary
By knowing the students background and history from the first class meeting I try to tailor presentations to the student's interests. But the key is to "mix it up". This keeps the delivery fresh, the interest piqued and the learning fresh and effective.
I always like to find articles in magazines, industry journals, or even something on Youtube to class. I find it provides a way to break up the monotony, provides a forum for discussion, and brings 'real world' examples into the classroom. Throughout the quarter I have found that student's perfered way of learning can change depending on the day, and even though a student might be a visual learner this person might be tired and might enjoy learning in a more tactile way.
I try to mix it up where appropriate. I've had students research part of the next lesson and present it to the class. I've had them look for published images (graphic design classes) and we group discuss technique, appropriateness, style, effectiveness, etc. Involving them in the classroom increases their attention span and what they learn.
tO MEET THE NEED OF STUDENT i HAV FOUND THAT A MORE HANDS ON APPROACH IS BETTER BECAUSE MOST OF THE STUDENTS LEARN FROM BEING SHOWN AND DOING IT THEM SELVES
Hi John,
Excellent three step program to help your students see the big picture. They are creating a foundation for their future and your insight and life experiences help them to see the applications they need to make with their newly acquired knowledge.
Gary
1. In my lecture and hands-on-activities, I use anecdotal examples from the past-including my own experiences. 2. I provide examples from trends of everyday life, in conjunction with the acquisition of the knowledge and skills they learn in class. 3. I share and explain my knowledge of what future employers may expect of them in the industry.
Hi Lou,
Hopefully your students hear your message clearly since you have walked the very same halls as they are. They need to see the relevancy of what you are sharing with them because they are going to be using that information very shortly.
Gary
