When teaching medical courses it is easy to make the content relevant towards the students. All the courses I teach are core courses for the medical assistant program so the students I teach understand why they are in the courses before they step foot in my lab. The skill sets I teach are skill sets which the students will learn and use for a lifetime.
I plan lecture classes to include breaks that allow students to summarize in small groups. If the material is detailed and specific (anatomy) I allow time to stop and color code a diagram for example. Sometimes I allow groups to choose a variety of mehtods to synthesize their materials. Some groups will use songs to memorize body parts, others will "teach" their peers. I love watching the creativity of students empowered to choose a variety of learning methods in small group breaks after each mini lecture. My students have often felt empowered by this technique and have taken more ownership in their learning and application of materials.
I find that my Information Technology students are very motivated by hands-on activities. They don't want to just hear my talk about how to configure a server, they want to do it themselves. But on some level, they still need to be taught certain paramaters and guidlines for how to accomplish these tasks correctly. So I include a good mix of Powerpoint presentations, reading assignments (typically homework), lecture, and hands-on guided activities in the lab.
Realizing that there are different types of student learners(Auditory,Kinesthetic,and Visual),I usually provide students with a questionnaire and work sheet that can identify their individual learning styles. It reveals to the student their most effective learning style while breaking the ice between students and teacher.
The fun really begins when I pair them with a partner to observe, in fact, if this is really their learning style. Students are able to observe first-hand, the different ways of determining the learning style of their partner.
Then,I show them the difference between the information received from the questionnaire/workbook and the observational data. With this data in hand, I can direct my classroom delivery in such a way to keep them all interested in the lesson plan. Some classes are designed for the visual learners using power points or videos; some classes are designed for the kinesthetic learners such as hands-on approaches or inclass assignments; while other classes may be geared for the auditory learners with lectures, facilitations and group discussions.
MANOJ,
So important because it shows both relevancy and application to what is being taught.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree. Making a "real life" connection is a huge help for the students.
I explain at the beginning of class the different methods I will use to help the students retain information and then I give statistics how the varying methods increase everyone's comprehension of the material.
I always try to relate course content to students lives and this can be done by relating complex issues to everyday events, suggesting the importance of different scales and geographies. Getting students to consider the whole world as a classroom is also important and therefore activities and learning done outside the classroom can also be very important. Having an open and constructive environment in the classroom also allows students to be more questioning and free to discuss issues and relate them to their lives.
When teaching a medical lab related course, I make the case of performing an experiment or "lab test" relevant to my students experience of why it is performed. i.e. why is a urinalysis important to the physician, or why is it important to report an elevated urine glucose and ketone to the physician and what does it mean? I feel this gives the demonstration an added dimension to the student! Not just the cookbook procedure of performance.
I try to keep in mind when planning my lessons of how the actual content that I am teaching will apply in a real world/job setting. I believe by keeping this in mind, while teaching, I am preparing them for what lye's ahead in their careers.
Frederick,
Good way to offer your instruction. These different delivery options appeal to the different learning preferences of your students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
My approach is to use lectures along with power point presentations and case studies with active participation from the students.
The teaching method depends on the type of course. Sometimes there are hands-on activities, formal lectures, interactive lectures, visual aids, reading assignments, written assignment, ect.
With medical courses its easy to make the course content relevant and applicable to the learning needs of the students. We also have quest medical speakers to come in to discuss real world topics to the students.
Amy,
You are doing a great job of introducing different channels of learning to your students. With these methods the different learning preferences of the students are being targeted which will increase both engagement and focus.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have used mini-lectures followed by doing or working on the concept lectured upon. I have used you-tube how to videos when I think that the command of the concept is shown in a simpler format than what I can teach. I am also able to watch my students to see if they are paying attention verses tuning out.
I have used guest speakers with command of the subject being taught. I follow up with short essay or a recap of the importance of the material covered.
I sometimes show verses lecture. I make the student show me the steps.
Plan different activities to account for the different learning styles. By varying method of delivery you can keep the class fresh and attempt to reach more students.
problem based,mini lectures,computer based.
I plan on delivering information to my students through many types of delivery including,lecture
demonstrations,power point presentaions and hands
on exercises,all this accomplished with a complete and flexible lesson plan.
Maryellen,
Application and relevancy are two important aspects of instructional planning. By bringing in current events you are showing your students the value of what they are being taught.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
