Knowledge in my world changes fast and is very academic. finding way's to present and explain these technologies in a non academic-creative enviroment is an every day challenge.
Ekan -
Excellent - this is exactly what I was looking for. Great job!
Lou Russell
I did response to it awhile ago, thanks.
I am glad those ideas helped. Hope to contribute more in the future. Thanks a lot for the opportunity.
Ekan -
Yes, those are excellent ideas. Thanks you!
Lou
The techniques that I mentioned could be found in the re-evaluations of the objectives and debriefing, and then sorting out priorities using the resources available. This may involve new seatings in the class, new lighting arrangement, change in video systems, the size of groups in which the class is divided into, the length of the course and time, the size of the class and even the painting of the walls of the room.
Ekan:
I was wondering which of the skills, tools and techniques resonated with you.
Lou Russell
One has to recognise the changes that are best suited to him so as to adapt in the manner that would not disrupt his daily routine.When disruption is inevitable as one changes, a Learning Facilitator may have to tap into most of the skills already mentioned in this course in order to minimize the negative consequences of the changes encountered. That is to say a good control of the impact; yes: control in frequency, economic , environmental, social and health.
Ekan
You sound like an excellent teacher. What a great way to help learners understand that their learning goes on for their entire life.
Lou Russell
Yes there are ways that I use that would help my students achieve retention. Since my classes are all related to health and medicine, I start the class by discussing all the health and medical news from the four news network in our area ( for the past 24 hours).They get used to accepting health science and education as a piece of evolution; it is changing, it is not stagnant, it is like fashion and needs to be updated constantly. the one who is not adapting is very likely going to be left behind. Sometimes I relate to popular Commercials on the television and the newspapers. Sometimes I may ask a student to share with the class his personal experience relevant to topic considered.
Ekan:
Are there any specific techniques or tools that you like to use to help your learners learn in a way that encourages enthusiasm and retention?
Lou Russell
As a Learning Facilitator, everything is taken into account; one has to rely on his experience, his background, his personal convictions as to what to expect from the learner and what the learner expects by being associated with the process that the Facilitator is trying to deliver.
Ekan:
Can you please share specifics on how you would do this?
Lou Russell
It goes to confirm the fact that a person should ONLY be himself. Trying to be someone else is like trying to escape from reality. It leaves the impression that someone is trying to hide something.
Slick substitute may work only for a brief period, its like one running away from his problem. Sooner or later one has to face it. The students should never be underrated, they are intelligent enough to know when one is joking and when one is lying.
One needs to be confident about what he is to deliver as a facilitator; the difference comes as to the level of experience of the facilitator in delivering learning materials considered. In addition, the academic level of the learner needs an accurate assesment by the facilitator prior to initiating his delivery. With that in mind, the facilitator can plan in detail how to present and facilitate learing to his students.As to preparing a new way to present the material, intuition, humor , and style are good tools that come in handy.
This is done by being intuissive as to how best I can achieve retention by the students and accessing the right speed to use in covering the syllabus for the course.
Dear Brenda:
Can you give me some examples specifically about how you would model these behaviors in your classrooms?
Lou Russell
You have to do what you try to teach your students. Stay on top of your learning and always move forward.
Kevin:
Here's a little quote for you - our passion is the same -
Enable me to teach with vision, for I shape the future.
Stay focused on the learner. All will be well.
Lou Russell
