Hi Chrissy - Thanks for your post to the forum. Often students who are "Hands-on" learners hate lecture, but, as you point out, when you correlate what they learned in lecture with what they are about to "do" in Lab, they get it!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I find that assessing in lab helps my students, one realize why we discussed this in our lecture first, and it builds anticipation on getting to the hands on portion. I find it very important and helpful to me to see how much they retained. Asking them questions helps them realize what they have learned as well!
Hi Susan,
Yes, I have live sessions on a regular basis in some of the schools I teach for. These are also good opportunities to get the feedback I need to improve the course and my facilitation.
Kurt
Hi Kurt- thanks for your post to the forum. Do you ever have synchronous sessions with your students online? Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
There are many ways to incorporate CATs into the classroom. I often use short polls in my online classes to check with the students on a variety of topics, even down to the individual assignment level where I might ask the class if they felt an assignment was too hard, too easy, or just right. This is very easy to do in the online classrooms that I use to teach.
Kurt
Hi Chris- Thanks for a very comprehensive answer to that question of how using CATs is effective. Best wishes- Susan
Hi Chris- Thanks for your post to the forum. I liked your analogy! I also agree that we have a responsibility to do everything we can to help our students be successful. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Linda,
I agree students have to be responsible for their learning, but without us motivating them and seeing if they are grasping the knowledge then we are not doing them any justice. I think part of the issue is that the Instructor needs to understand the students learning abilities as well and adjust their teaching to accommodate. In short, I wouldn't teach rocket science to a group of 4th graders and expect them to understand it, unless I change my teaching methods. Thanks, Chris.
Hi Brian,
Good idea starting the class off with a little practice. I think it is a good way to ensure they have one of the core foundations in place for their practice. Know I need to think of some I can use for teaching online! Good Comment, Chris Graves.
Charles,
I like that you addressed the ability to change you teaching style. This is important because the assessments can clue us into the different learning abilities of our students. Once we know that information we can then start to hone our abilities for the betterment of the students. Good Comment, Chris Graves.
I can incorporate classroom assessment techniques (CATs) into my teaching by assessing the students current knowledge of the subject (background knowledge probe). This will allow me to assess the level that my students have for a particular subject and assist me in addressing the circulum and my learning plan. With this information, I will know whether or not I can move ahead or if I need to start with the basics.
This can also be used to give feedback to my students by letting them know the direction the class will take as well as inform the students how well they are learning. Thanks, Chris Graves.
In our program we have student essential skills that are required in order to pass the courses. I like to evaluate students several times before actually testing them.
As a new instructor, I think that this step will be critical in not only assessing what the student's have learned, but also what methods will be effective in teaching them further.
I believe that even when the instructor asks the question, do you understand? You have to look around at the faces and body language to get a feel if the really do, or are just shy to say so.
Hi Deborah- I believe that asking students to "teach-back" is the ultimate test of what they have learned. Have a great week-end! Susan
I love this idea. I think that asking the student to act as a teacher solidifies what each one knows.
I really like to use the “Minute Paper†technique in class. Having the students write about a significant thing they learned in class that day and a question they might have is a great way for me to know what the students are getting out of the class and/or not understanding. Students complete this with ease because it is non-graded and confidential, so they feel comfortable completing it. We will then discuss what was written the next day in class. This helps answer any unanswered questions as well as review what we went over previously.
HI Mary - Thanks for your post to the forum. CATs will also give you good feedback so that in the next class you can be sure to revisit concepts they may not be too clear about. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I like to use CATS at the end of the class or the discussion online. It really draws students to learning the take away knowledge that is important to emphasis. Mary
Hi Imelda- Great example of using a CAT. Asking your students to immediately apply concepts after lectures is especially effective at increasing retention. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
