I like to use real life examples and situations that I or some one I know have experienced when discussing certain topics. By doing this the students can realize that what they are learning in the classroom is based upon real life experience.
Hi Stephen,
Sounds like a very interesting course because I think we all have had to do battle with insurance companies and the government. It is a common curse we all are familiar with and have encountered so the discussions I know are lively.
Gary
Hi Felix,
I really like to use advisory committees as well. They give input that helps to shape my course content. Thanks for bringing up this important resource for us to use.
Gary
I teach The History of Healthcare Insurance systems at a local college. I tell students about my trials and tribulations with the healthcare insurance systems. They in turn tell me about their encounters with the Private insurance and Federal and state insurance programs. They can understand throughout the course how and why these things exist and where it is heading under the new administration.
I make sure my materials are current and up to date. Also, I try to pull in today's topics. For example, I brought in a recent newspaper article about how health care job openings are on the rise. Most of my students are in a health care program and this allows them to see just how important completing the program is to their future.
Twice a year I conduct an Advisory Board Meeting. This provides me a direct feedback of what is new in the field and allows me to make the neccessary changes within the course content.
By, Edwardo Mojena
Choices are one of the greatest opportunities for a student to have. It also gives them room to have choices in their are of directions to learn what projects to work on.
By, Edwardo Mojena
I believe sharing and relating course content to real life is a great way to open up your students and having them relate back to you in their real life.
Hi Gregory,
Good point about finding balance to your instructional delivery methods. By finding a way to incorporate the different methods you keep the interest of your students throughout the class session.
Gary
I attempt to create a balance with writing on board, power point, physical demonstrations and discussion of all topics. Not all subjects are conducive to this due to time constraints, but some demonstrations may be shortened by having various steps pre-done thus allowing more time for discussion and/or power point.
Hi James,
Good way to lay a solid foundation for developing instructional strategies that will meet the needs of your students. You are giving them ample opportunities to work within their learning preferences.
Gary
Hi Evelyn,
This is an important part of teaching. I call this "connecting the dots" in terms of students seeing how what they are learning can be applied to their field and help them move forward with their career development.
Gary
On the first day of class I have the students do a learning style survey. I incorporate lecture, group activities, and bring tactile examples to class as possible.
I have the students participate in the online VARK questionnaire so that they become aware of not only their learning preference, but may also become aware of learning styles they did not realize they possess. This can help them to adapt to learning settings that may not always require their "preference" by showing them based on their own answers that they do have alternate learning capabilities. In addition, this allows me to identify the learning strengths and preferences of each student and make adaptations when necessary.
I teach a computer course so I try to show the students how they will be able to use the applications in their field of study. I try to give assignments that are relevant to their major so they will be able to use what they've learned in a real-world setting.
Some strategies that I have implemented for making a course's content relevant and applicable to the learning needs of students, is to offer a wide range variety of how I present the information as well as what work I give them to complete. With so many learning stlyes that exsist in a classroom, it is important that as an instructor to use many approaches to presenting information so that everyone gets it, that is why I use a variety of techniques and strategies throughout my courses. What may work for one may not work for the next, but that does not mean that he or she is dumb, it simply means that there must be a different approach.
I plan my instruction to accommodate the different learning preferences of my students by offering a variety of activities as well as the way I present the course material. I don't just try one strategy, I try a variety of strategies, and whichever one fits or works the best, that is the strategy or technique that I use for that set of students at that time. I present information in a varitey of ways, from lecturing ouloud directly out of the book, to using powerpoint presentations, to creating outlines for my students, to creating activities, and so on. I try to offer variety to accommodate the different learning prefernces of my students. And it seems to work great!
Hi Daniel,
Good approach. With this method you are touching all of the learning preferences which gives the students opportunities to find their own comfort zones in relation to learning. This greatly increases the success factor for the students.
Gary
The first day of class, I give the class an optional VARK exam to see what their best learning style is. The students are sometimes surprised by the results. I use powerpoint, so I always incorporate text, pictures and video, and audio sound clips into the presentations. I also plan assignments that are hands-on. This basically will cover all learning styles, and generally the students are very happy because they are able to understand a concept by their preferred method of learning.
I am having students create their own vocabulary lessons this quarter. They are making the list from words that are related to their course of study. From their lists, I will create the vocabulary section of the final. In addition, the research component will be related to the course of study in the future. I think this will relate the research and composition to their interests.
