Hi Mark,
The immediate use of newly acquired knowledge is powerful. It helps to keep the students motivated and engaged in the learning process. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Hi James,
What are some of the relevant activities that you use to break up your lectures?
Thanks.
Gary
During the presentation of course objectives we relate what previous courses or experiences we are going to build on, to help us achieve these goals. It helps to open discussion with the group and guides me to understanding the baseline of the group.
Exactly. The application of theory to a real problem allows the student to focus on the essence of the material that is being presented and aids in retention of the subject matter.
I have tried this when lecturing about complex concepts as it tends to reinforce the lecture material.
Discuss a section of cirricculum and then do an exercise that applies the material (hands on)
breaking up the lecture with relevant activities.
Thank you very much it is truly a priviledge to work here. The bottom line is produce the best student we can and they are clways looking to upgrade all of our equipment in order to maintain that philosophy.
thanks
Dave
Hi Kamini,
Thank you for these kind words about the course. It is good to hear that your are right on target with your teaching. This has to give you a great boost in confidence knowing you are meeting the learning needs of your students. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Hi David,
It is exciting to hear how hard your college and yourself works to make sure you are offering your students the most current and relevant instruction. Due to your efforts I know you are turning out individuals that are ready to go into and succeed in their career area.
Gary
By going through this course module,I am very pleased to say that I am already implementing all these teaching technique to my classroom.And now I am become more confident as educator.
Thanks Dr.Gary. I have really enjoyed this course.
By continuously attending training seminars in my field of study to maintain my own education I believe that I am helping my planning for my students. I also have an employer that mandates an advisory panel of local employers from our field of study. We must meet twice a year for a conference and to exchange ideas on what our specific curriculum could use to improve. We are always looking to stay current and make sure our content matches the employers needs, so we can produce very marketable students. Bottom line our students have to be prepared or they do not get hired.
Hi Ted,
Your work through the industry advisory councils to make sure that you are keeping your curriculum current and reflective of industry/business requirements is an excellent way to make sure you are right on target with your instruction. Also your use of pretesting helps you create a baseline on your students so you can help them in their areas of weakness.
Gary
I am primarily a manager and teach only on occasion but fortunately i write some of the curriculum for the program. We use a number of measures to monitor not only the needs of the student but the needs of industry. We use employer feedback groups comprising of industry as well as regular interactions with our client. I am able to address student needs by first identifying problem areas through the use of practical, professional and written exams and then concentrating on their particular weak area. Since I teach for a sub client and they define curriculum right down to timelines flexibility is limited at times.
Hi Patricia,
You make a number of very good points about being selective in the learning requirements for your students. You have a realistic grasp of what they must know to be successful in their field. I know the students appreciate how you approach the course requirements and how you help the learn the material through games like Jeopardy.
Gary
Hi Rebecca,
Right you are about students learning from each other. Group work helps them to get comfortable with each other plus they can contribute in the smaller groups and that helps build self confidence for those students that are shy.
Relevancy is the key word for daily instruct. You have a keen sense about this based upon your comments. I am sure your students benefit from your dedication to their learning.
Gary
With one particular course that I teach, anatomy and physiology, the textbook is very detailed and specific regarding this subject. However, the students that I am teaching do not have the need for this specificity but just a general knowledge of the topic. These students are not going to be diagnosing patients.
Therefore, when I do my lectures I hit the high points of what I feel my students really need for their future professions; I give them labelling exercises, so they will at least know where the body parts are for when they talk to patients. Additionally, I spend a lot of time on terminology. We play Jeopardy at least once a week to cover the chapters and spelling and terminology and I have found this to be a great learning and teaching tool.
I strongly believe students learn as much from each other as they do from the instructor. Group work and activities is a great way to blend the learning styles of all students. Plus students that tend to be observers are now in the position of having to participate - I often find the observer is far more willing to communicate with a few classmates as opposed to the entire class.
Also key to matching content to need is to daily clearly communicate the relevance of every single lesson the student is expected to learn. The most important key to adult learning is to make sure they see all aspects of their learning as being relevant to their field of study - otherwise they can quickly lose focus.
Hi Terri,
Nothing says relevancy like the instructor be current with the field. The students then know what you are saying is relevant to their future and is based upon the most current knowledge and skills required of the field. It is a must for all of us to stay up to date with our fields.
Gary
Maintaining your own expertise in the field is very important. So attending conferences or providing lectures at conferences is one way to stay abreast of the current research, techniques and standards in your field. Then developing lesson plans that include methods of delivery of each learning style has been most beneficial in my field.
