I teach at a career college for medical assistants, surgical techs, vet techs and other related studies. I use word problems that help them be successful in the pharmacoly course. I teach mixture problems, percentages, rates and proportions. For example, If a dog weighs --- then the dog gets --- mL.
I've asked them to propose relevant content to me. It makes them think about the subject and how it relates to them personally.
The course I am teaching is a foundational class which is instrumental in the development of skills and career goals for my students. Fortunately, the classroom time is followed by lab time which allows the students to process what the "lecture" content was and put it into practice (hands on). I have found that using some "hands on" learning as the lecture is progressing makes it more relevant to the students and they can visualize how learning this material will benefit them in their training and ultimately in the workplace.
Rose,
You are so fortunate being in this field because you have more current events than you can every cover. This I know makes the class very interesting for your students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
SInce I teach Criminal Justice, I can bring in headline cases for greater impact on material
Changing up my class time to time. One day I use power points, one day I will do A hands on demo. I make sure the students get the full picture of whats important to know in the Electrical field and whats expected of them when they get out there.
I usually include both a theoretical lecture and a hands-on practical exercise in every class session. I also mix in group sessions to break the routine and give them a chance to see different perspectives on problems.
Course content should be relevant to the reality, otherwise student will have no knowledge of the real life situation.
I try to encourage students to have an open mind about new programs we learn in class that they may not be familiar with - or intimidated by. I explain to them how the programs are used and relate to their chosen field. I also like to show examples of work that have been created using the software, and I explain the steps to how this was achieved.
The type of class that I teach requires me to do a lab demonstration and then class discussion to be more effective. The students are able to apply the lecture to practical hands on experience which helps them to be better prepared for the real world.
To try and acomodate the different leanring styles of students, I try and plan lectures in a way that involves a mixed delivery of content.
When beginning my class, I ask the students to asnwer a few questions which include how they think they learn, and what types of activities they like to do. Most answers I get help me to get a better picture of the individual student, and helps me to understand some of their learning mechanincs. This also helps me to group the students by their learning preferences, and through this I can further tailor my lectures or other deliveries for the class.
Antonio,
Good point and good strategy. This helps to make the content real because it is about where they live.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
You have to use all of them depending on the classroom environment and also what subject is being taught. Auditory and visualization may be good for a lecture based class such as A&P but tactile would be more suitable for a Lab class because it involve problem solving critical thinking and hand eye coordination.
I teach Cultural Diversity, many who teach this class teach it as though you have to discuss other countries to be discussing other cultures. I dont teach about other countries, I teach about all the culutures that are in the melting pot we call America.
Every country in the world is represented right here in our own country and for me the best place to learn diversity is right here.
by the first class you can tell the students taht will learn from visual, auditory and kinestic I try then to divided the time between the types
George,
Developing problem solving skills is essential for students. This application is going to be of great help to you and your students I am sure.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Since I teach a computer based class I have found a new application on the Windows 7 operating system called PSA (problem solving application). It lets me show a student step by step how to solve a problem or procedure they are assigned.
Bonnie,
Your content is one of the essential links in the chain of learning for your students. You are doing a good job of getting them to see the long term value of what they are being taught. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
With in the medical lab, I try to accommodate different learning preferences but the best way to learn most skill sets is practice repeatively. The students must repeat the skills over and over again in order to show that they have learn the new skill by routine.
