I teach an advanced course for those already in their career, but want to go further. Some have been working for only two years, some for several decades. It's interesting to see in the pretests at what level they are. I'm always amazed at the scores, as usually they are considerably low. Then I find out that most of the reason is because they are not good at test taking, and it has been quite a while since being tested last. I still pretest and use that as a topic in itself with the lesson being, learn how you take tests, find out your weakness, your strengths, and go from there. Test yourself not only on the material of the lessons needed, but your response to how you perform the testing.
Eric,
Good way to appeal to the different learning preferences your students have. The variety of delivery methods will help to keep them engaged and focused for the duration of the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I utilize all three learning styles (visual, audio, and tactile) learning in my lectures so each student with different learning styles will walk away with knowledge of the material
Frederick,
Like your style in providing variety and change of pace in your instructional delivery. Also, your support for students is to be commended. By using this approach you are increasing the value of the content and handouts that you are sharing.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I've always keep my lectures in the 15-min. range, short & sweet. I also like to use various classroom exercises (both sit-down and stand-up), pre-testing, audio-visual materials such as videos and hard-copy hand-outs. Variety is what keeps students engaged. Another device I like to use is to offer student extra credit at the end of the class IF they keep all the classroom hand-outs I've given them, and keep them in good condition in a binder, folder or envelope. I explain that I still have notes that I took from my favorite classes when I was a student, and I still refer to them from time to time. And I hope the handouts from my class will be useful to them in future years. Many students do take advantage of this offer.
I am like to use power point to deliver my theory, demonstration to deliver clinical directions. Power point is great because it encompasses all of the learning styles, by reading, writing and hearing the information.
Jon-Paul,
This is a great way to get additional insight into your students and help them to stay focused on their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Michelle,
Like the balance you have developed in your instructional delivery. This is how engagement occurs. Students like to have change of pace and variety in their instructional delivery and this is what you are offering.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also use pretests/surveys to find out student learning preferences
I have a variety of ages in my classes. Therefore the attention spans are different. I also teach at different hours of the day after many have already been to work or are leaving for work from here. Therfore I must engage them in all areas of learning. From lectures to tactile learning. I have found most students appreciate learning by either moving in class or playing games that are educational.
Diane,
Your school is offering a great service to your students with this strategy. I really like how this information is shared among the faculty so that as the students move through their courses their instructors know how to customize their instruction to meet individual student learning preferences.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Dr. Meers,
We actually give the learning preference test to each student their first year, to determine which way they learn best. We then share this information with the clinic faculty that will be working with them so that they know this information. For instance, one student may learn better with faculty drawing a diagram showing them how to do a skill, one may learn better watching the faculty perform the skill first and still another will learn best if they are the ones do the skill with the faculty directing. It did help, as it was an eye opener for the students.
Thanks, Diane Osso
I plan a variety of activities that address the different learning styles such as lectures, hands-on group activities, group case studies, as well as incorporating multimedia content (combination of graphics, video, text, audio) into the lectures.
I try to mix things up like this as well. I find it keeps the students and me more interested.
By providing different task throughout lesson. Group activities, questions, handouts, volunteers, demonstrations etc.
I learn of student learning styles and adjust lecture as needed from class to class for increase quality of learning.
Leslie,
It is for the reasons that you list that I use pretests. They give me a baseline on my students so I know how to customize my instructional delivery and shape the degrees of my content depth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like pretests or maybe a problems solving activity before we go into a lecture. This creates a sense need for the students as they realize how much they do know and what they need to pay attention to. It also helps me figure out what past experience is going to contribute to the dynamics of the class so that I can tie the experiences to the content.
Habibah,
Glad that this information was of value to you. I wish you continued success in your instructional efforts. I know you will continue to help your students to develop professionally and grow as dedicated health care professionals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This is one area that I definitely need to improve on. I Lecture, lecture, lecture, knowing that I lost them along time ago in the lecture. I would break things up and do lab, but mini lectures would have definitely worked best for my students. I wish I would have completed this course before hand, I think I fell back on what I feel like nursing school was like for me. It was extremely lecture heavy, there is a ton of information to disseminate. Looking back I know that plenty of my students could have benefitted from mini lectures.
