i find i must explain it one way, then draw a diagram on the board, then show a video or picture of the part, then go into the shop and see or hold the part.
the students learned what i was teaching not all at once, but by the end of this processes they will have gotten it or even strengthen knowledge of it.
thank you
. It takes a lot of preparation to try and reach everyone especially in larger classes. Each student has there own learning style
Benjamin,
I wish you much success in using the mini-lecture approach. I know you are going to like the results you get with them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Varied instructional delivery methods assure a students focus and clarity of purpose of the subject.
Dr. Meers,
Thank you again for the amazing insight. The mini-lectures followed by activities seems an excellent way to keep students engaged and learning. Plus, I imagine it would be a little less stress on the instructor to feel he/she has to lecture for the entire duration of a longer class.
Thank You!
Benjamin,
Students like change of pace and variety in their instructional delivery. I teach a six hour course from 4 until 10 pm so I have to bring both variety and change of pace to my classes or I am going to lose my students. What you do is do a mini-lecture of 15-20 minutes and then have an activity. A small group, Q&A session, role play, case study, etc.. Then another mini-lecture and then activity. This way I keep my students engaged as active learners and don't let them become passive because after a long day they will go passive if I let them since they are tired and want to get the evening over with.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
To adapt to the varies types of learning by the students. Some of my students are visual learners and need video to better help them understand the material, so we place videos within the lecture. Some of my student relate words to humorous words and this helps them when it comes to testing.
People are not robots, so they have very unique expectations, learning styles and moods. Varying the instructional delivery has an added benefit for the instructor too: it helps to keep him fresh and avoid getting bored with the job.
If only one delivery method is used, it will become very predictable and boring. Students (AKA humans) learn by varied styles of instruction. Most middle and high schools have students moving from one teacher to another. Not only does this allow students to receive instruction from an expert on the subject matter, but it also introduces a bit of varied instruction. We are just trying to do the same thing.
Question: The course I just finished reviewing mentioned that trying to vary instructional delivery methods too often is too unrealistic. I can understand that for, say, a one hour class, but what about for longer classes that include lab time, etc.?
It is important to offer varied instructional methods to cover all learning styles in your class. But it also provides stimulation as students are shifted from one activity to the next. This can break up the monotony of a five hour class. I also think it helps the instructor who can also experience "burn out" or fatigue especially if they have been teaching for a long time or teach for long periods of time. It can easily enhance the quality of instruction.
Lisa,
Not sure what you mean by this. Can you explain?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
If an instructor is not able to utilize a variety of instructional delivery methods they risk alienating some of their students. Not all students learn in the same manner or at the same pace.
This was made evident to me when teaching my last class of College Mathematics - Dosage Calculations for Nursing Students. While most math students under stand that 3 teaspoons is 1 Tablespoon, some students have a very difficult time understanding that 1 tablespoon also equals 15 mL. Without being able to use a variety of delivery methods, I could not, with any certainty, be able to get all students to commit this to memory, if that makes sense.
So variety in delivery methods is what can save a student from failing a critical class for their education.
Landis
Brenda,
Students like change of pace and variety in their instructional delivery. So the more instructors can do both the more engaged students will be and as a result their retention of the content will be increased.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Everyone gets bored with the same old techniques all the time. It helps to have several different teaching tools; students stay better engaged.
Laneita,
The more variety the better so you will be able to appeal to the different learning preferences of students. As a result you will have more engaged students and increased retention of the course content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
You want to make sure that every student in the class can understand the information that you are presenting. This means that you need a variety of instructional methods. I prefer to use a power point method because of the volume of information that I must present. I will supplement this with examples, use of text book tables, charts and graphs, real life stories, videos, models, whatever I can find that will illustrate the concept.
Sherri,
Students like change of pace and variety in their instructional delivery so the more we can offer both the more they will be engaged in the learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Varied instructional delivery important to keep the student interested in the present moment, and curious about the next moment.
I am a firm believe that you should show student different ways to learn things, because each student learn differently.
