I have the students read from the textbook, do writing assignments and lecture using PowerPoints. They then apply what they have learned in the lab setting with me asking them questions to make sure they understand the material covered in the class setting.
I try to use a variety of methods--I always present the same information in at least three ways: lecture (for the auditory learner), handouts (for the verbal learner), and media presentation (for the visual learner). It is sometimes hard to incorporate a variety of approaches, though, and I find the one I have the most difficulty with myself is the "hands-on" approach in some of my classes--some courses I teach just don't seem to lend themselves well to kinesthetic learning, so I'm always trying to come up with new ways to appeal to that learning style for my students.
Hi Deward,
Good plan. This way the students will be focused on the key concepts within the course structure.
Gary
I plan several learning styles into my instruction, such as video, case-studies, real-world situations, and role play to make the students to think about more than what would be just thier natural point of view. I myself am a visual learner and in school, alot of it was lecture, so I try and make it a point to have various instruction style for the various types of learners.
I like to practice reductionism while lecturing. When I am covering complicated material, I will keep reducing the material until the light comes on then we can build the information.
I have found that “real life” stories and case study scenarios help students understand the necessity and importance of learning specified course content. Students begin to see and understand the bigger picture while at the same time remain focused on the specific competencies being taught. They understand that each small bit of learning contributes to the final desired product in knowledge and mastery of their curriculum. “Like putting a puzzle together”, students learn to put the pieces together knowing it is part of a bigger picture.
I relate my content to real life experiences to the class and I use examples of situations in their own life and then put that into context.
I always look for current events and new data. I teach a critical thinking class and when Osama Bin Laden was killed we did a case study on the mission and the critical thinking involved in it. This keeps the students engaged but also helps them to see how the course is relevant to their lives.
Hi LaToya,
Sounds like your classes are fast moving, motivating and informative. Keep up the good work. I know your students really appreciate your efforts in helping them be successful in your class.
Gary
Hi Susan,
Good way to offer instructional diversity plus support to your students. This will keep them engaged throughout the class.
Gary
I like to give the students examples from my work experience and I like to work with case studies. I feel these give them relevant and personal examples of what we are studying.
I have to incorporate course contents that are outlined in the learning objectives for that specific day.
I like to do interactive lectures, I'm real good at being an actor, comedian and keeping my students interested and entertained while incorporating the lecture. Getting student to listen and keeping that attention is very hard so you have to be creative so that can stay focus, get the best out of learning, and making class enjoyable.
I have used problem solving and problem based learning with my students to cover the course objectives and content.
I usually start with a power point presentation but I make sure that there is an adequate amount of pictures, not too many though. I keep the power point somewhat brief in nature but provide them with a handout copy of the presentation (the one where there is 3 slides one one half of the page and note-taking lines on the other side)so that they can jot down things that I have said that they would like to have on paper.
After I have completed a topic on the power point then I review with them what the core concepts were from the slides.
Hi Andrea,
Good strategies. I know you are going to be able to reach your students at an even higher level using the variety of deliveries that you have listed.
Gary
Learning styles can be different, yet tough to teach to all of them all of the time. I also use powerpoints, lecture - we have smart boards so I will write inside the slide. At times I may have unigue picture or video in my slides to highten the senses....
With many different learning styles it will be difficult to have attention to detail to cover each style along with content. I suppose this will require lots of preplanning for course lectures and of course thinking outside the box. With my lectures I will provide a set of notes that would be the notes I took from my own lecture. This would hopefully be sufficient for the written word learner. I will be giving my lecture orally which will satisfy the auditory learners. I will have to incorporate more photos/diagrams and illustrations into my lectures to help the visualization learners gain insight into my material. And thankfully for me, my career path is very much centered around a tactile environment so my students should have very little problem gaining that from lectures with mini labs associated.
I knew about the distinct learning styles but never thought about how I would incorporate all into a lecture to accomodate different styles of learning.
I try to incorporate different activities during the class period. A powerpoint while lecturing appeals to visual learners, speaking and different sounds appeal to the auditory learners, and demonstrations and hands on activities appeal to the kinesthetic learners.
Hi Ali,
Good strategy. As you know students really like real life examples. They see the application and relevancy to what they are learning.
Gary
