With my short course, using visuals is very helpful. In addition to powerpoint photos, graphs and illustrations, videos on environmental topics really help bring the message home. Videos are my 'virtual' guest speaker. Environmental pollution, economic/environmental sustainability and stewardship are conceptual information that are more effectively inspired in students with a variety of learning methods. Mark
Hi Jared - You are using some great visuals. There are so many images available and, as you mention, it's fun to have fun with them! Susan
Susan:
I tend to use a variety of methods to work with visual learners. I always have a powerpoint presentation for my lectures that combines text and images. The images are usually related to the content and sometimes amusing or wacky to get a laugh out of the class. The images help visual learners to remember the content associated with what they saw. I also use videos demonstrating concepts whenever possible.
Hi Craig- Thanks for your post to the forum. We have SmartBoards but I'm not sure if we have used any anatomy video games. Great idea!! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I teach a Kinesiology class. We play a anatomy video game on the smart board.
We also perform the movements in class and verbalize what is happening with our muscles and joints.
Craig
HI Scott- Thanks for your post to the forum. I also like to post material online; it is a great resource for students. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I use a lot of diagrams and color code steps on the smart board. I then post the material online so they can review it again at a later date.
Hi Camille - thanks for your post to the forum. You are a great example of how investing time and work upfront can have a big payoff! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
These are the tools I tend to use as well. In my physiology course I tried to find several different photos for each area. You-Tube has some great and often funny short video clips for almost every purpose. So I start with a PowerPoint with plenty of pictures and intersperse the video clips into it.
I also have found online some good interactive models that demonstrate how molecules interact, etc., and I plant those right into the PowerPoint as well.
Certain concepts work well with drawings. At times I will have teams of students do the drawings instead of me. These can be a source of huge amusement as well as learning!
Yes, this takes a big investment of time and energy to put together but it can also be a lot of fun, not only to find bits to use but also during the actual teaching. Even silly pictures, like a vampire and a mosquito during the section on blood, can keep the class alive.
I have many short video clips and visual charts that I put up during my lectures.
I find that combining styles is most effective in my classroom. Lecture aided by PowerPoint as well as Case Study can be very fulfilling for student retention and meaning. We even have a version of Jepoardy that we use when reviewing for our final exam. It's interactive and fun for students and covers visual, auditory and written word styles. Students engage and respond well to it.
I use powerpoints, educational videos, diagrams, and show the instruments/equipment that we will be using while implementing a hands on approach as well. These seem to put things into perspective and make more sense than just "talking" about the subject.
I use lots of short video clips and also draw the attention of students to various pictures and graphs in the text to supplement discussion of the ideas and concepts I want them to learn.
Hi Arlene - thanks for sharing a great idea! I must pass the colored marker idea on to our math instructors. Best wishes- Susan
HI Michael- Thanks for your post to the forum. You mentioned some good things to keep in mind when creating PowerPoints. I think we have all had to endure our share of boring bland slides. Of course it's also important to use caution. We all have also seen PPTs that are so busy that they are positively migraine inducing!Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I think using a powerpoint presentation would be good for a visual learner. I also think that when presenting items for them to remember, the use of bright colors or bold and underlining would be a good approach to focus their attention to a certain fact or word.
In teaching math, I use the colored markers to structure problem solving. The main problem stays one color; actions on the equation in another color. Sometimes I'll use a different color for each line so the student can asked about the "red line" or the "blue part".
Hi Fredrik- Thanks for your post to the forum. You are definitely addressing the learning styles of all your students -great work! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I teach at an automotive tehnical school. most of are students are hands on and visual.
I use a lot of training aids for hands on and visual lectures. I also use powerpoint, and drawings on the board for lectures. We also have a lot of up to date cd,s from the manufacturer,s. I show the films and stop with detailed explanations during the films. we also have a lot of hands on visual labs on actual cars.
Thanks Fred G.
In my class I use Power Point slides, provide handouts and use diagrams when explaining the course material. I also provide a copy of my Power Point slides so the students can refer to it.
