Hi Yi,
I agree with your assessment in terms of instructor preparation. If they work hard at preparation when the class starts the content will flow and the students will learn.
Gary
Hi Paul,
Students really like these real life examples. It helps them to see the relevance and application of the content and they draw them in because they are interesting to listen to.
Gary
I always believe only the instructor have the heart and give enough time to prepare the course besides having sufficient knowledge itself, then the course stands a chance to be a good one.
I can give real life examples of what I am lecturing. I can make analogies that students can easily understand.
Hi Gene,
Thanks for sharing this example of how a change in the delivery format has resulted in increased student involvement. This is what good instructional planning is all about.
Gary
I try to start lecture with a real world example. I have another job in the field I teach so things I go through at work I try to right down and see if they can be compared to specific lectures. I ask the students what would they do in this situation or how would they approach it and what resources would be available to them to use. Its best to get them each to right down a short response, take it up for review, and then explain to them what was actually done in the situation, from there I should be able to incorporate the learning objectives for the day and begin my powerpoint presentation.
I normally lecture and thought i was pretty good but I can now see how I need to insert some visual and auditory cues into my presentations. I tried that today by inserting a video of Dr. Kings I Have a Dream speech and I received much feedback from usually quiet students whom I thought to be disinterested.
Hi Jim,
Two good strategies. As you know from your practice much of what you do in medicine in treating animals is to use your problem solving skills since your patients can't talk to you. I run a ranch and there are many times I wish one of my horses or mules could tell exactly what the problem is.
The other aspect of your instructional effort is the sharing of your career experiences. By combining their problem solving with career experiences the students get to see the problem and then hear a solution.
Gary
BY APPLYING THEM TO A PROBLEM OR ADAPTING THEM TO A REAL LIFE SITUATION OR EXPERIENCE.
I teach in the Veterinary technology field and I bring to class recent cases that I have seen. I also bring in cases that were out of the ordinary from my career as a DVM. I think that letting them tell me what they think should be done next helps them to anticipate problems and apply what they have learned to a real case. They also seem to enjoy hearing about something that has happened to someone they know not just reading an account found in a text book.
Jim
Combination of activities should be prepared in the lesson. Lecture, powerpoint and then a open book review is most helpful. This way the lesson is reinforced and it prepares them for the next exam.
Harry I totally agree with you about the drastic change. All students need to be motivated and by using different methods this holds there attention.
Also, the syllabus is a guideline, but you are right some classes I miss lecturing over some of the chapters, if the students don't have a good understanding of the previous lesson, I am not going to move to another chapter until they understand those chapters. Why frustrate them even more.
As the years have passed the demographics of our learning institution is in a constant state of flux. This has caused a drastic change from being strictly a lecturer to that of a storyteller, producer, comedian, disciplinarian, etc.
Prior to the start of a new semester numerous hours are spent at home preparing the syllabus, power point presentations, case projects, and allowing time for questions and answers. Several classes are required before it is ascertained if the syllabus can and will be followed to the letter, most times not.
The information from section four of the 1st lesson plan has opened up numerous ideas, very applicable.
Hi Angela,
Good point about thinking back to our own days as students. This should refresh for us what we enjoyed about our classes and what we didn't. This creates a format for selecting our own instructional components and deliveries.
Gary
I think the best tool is showing up each and every day with enthusiam for what you are teaching. Make it relevant, we should never be in front of a class teaching if we cannot make it relevant to their career, education and success in their chosen profession. Especially when you have one of those classes where students come in feeling it is a "waste of time or a blow off" and walk out of that class thinking "wow, that rocked" or " wow, I learned a valuable new tool to help me". That is when our job pays off big!
I try to remember what it was like as a student in a class where everything sounded like a foreign language ( as is the case with most health care courses) and how my teachers helped me see the light. Enthusiasm for our teaching is the most important delivery tool of all. Even for those odd classes where the students "don't feel this class is really necessary" and making them leave that class feeling it rocked! Best feeling in the world as a teacher.
I like to use visual aids when teaching. It helps re-enforce what I am demonstrating or describing.
Be prepared. Have props. Mix in some q&a. Don't talk too long.
Hi Misty,
You are right on with your ideas about how to develop and deliver effective lectures. The more interaction, variety and media you can inject in the lecture the more engagement you are going to have. We instructors need to remember this as we do our instructional planning.
Gary
Lectures are more effective when they are interactive. Asking questions, opinions of students, taking examples from students, etc. helps keep them involved and attentive as they feel it more of a conversation vs. a lecture. Asking for their input is particularly effective for the adult learner who often brings some professional experience into the classroom. This shows you recognize, appreciate, and welcome that experience!
I find that adding a presentation to my lecture helps bring attention to the most important points, as well as providing a visual reference, which appeals to the visual learner.
I think a main key, regardless of methods, is always come across as friendly, eager to support, and never condescending. Sense of humor works well, too! I have had multiple students tell me that they love the fact that I can laugh at myself. Which is great, because we make mistakes, too :)
