Make it interesting
Making the course content interesting is key to delivery. I found that doing case studies in groups was a fun, interactive learning style that my students preferred.
Miriam,
I am a big fan of using case studies as well. I think really help students with critical thinking development.
Gary
I found that by using case studies which incorporates critical thinking and class discussion. My class stays interested by participation. We also, utilize small group projects and a weekly game to keep things from becoming stale. Power points, lectures, hand outs and note taking round out the week. A dash of each keeps things moving in the right direction and prepares them for quizes and tests.
Hi Elisha,
The more senses you involve the more involved the students are. Handling the medical devices and models really help to engage the students in the learning process as you well know.
Gary
what a great idea. i teach a lecture based class, (medical terminology), but i find the students attention span is longer, when i bring in actual medical props depending on the chapter. if we are talking about eyes, and ears, i bring in an otoscope, snellen chart, and eye occluders for the students to pass around. keeps the lecture down to a minimum, and the boredom too!
I haven't purposely set out to do case studies but now that I'm thinking about it, it has taken place in class and I find that a majority of the class likes to participate.
I make sure there are no words on powerpoint slides so the instructor does not fall into a habit of reading the slide. Powerpoint slides are for images and videos only.
I do not use poerpoints since I am a nursing clinical instructor.
Mariann U
I like the concept of case studies within groups--I have found that when I give my students some group time this can really build foundational relationships within the class. The biggest complaint I hear from students is the over use of power point. I aviod it if at all possible---getting students out of the box way of classroom teaching has been very beneficial in my experience.
Hi Lori,
Sounds like you are a born teacher if you are able to make a stale subject interesting to your students. What is the "stale" subject you teach?
Each time you teach you will gain more experience and additional strategies that you can use the next time you teach. It is a building process that is fun to develop and grow with.
Gary
It has been challenging for me to teach a stale subject. But the students are doing well in the class. Being this is my first quarter teaching, I'm working on new ways to make the class interesting for the next quarter.
I appreciate your words on this support. I know that case examples would be good for my class and open up discussion.
Hi Mariann,
This helps to make it "real" for students and gets them invested in the course. In addition, they get to use their newly acquired skills which helps to motivate them.
Gary
I am a clijical instructor and also assign one case study per twrm. I found that allowing students to choose the client for the project they find it less of a chore and more of a learning experience.
Mariann U
