I have posted the vocab words with the short definitions on the walls at different areas of the classroom.I believe this has helped them to remember them.
I am a mechanics teacher and to break down the parts I draw them on the board in different colors to spark interest and to differentiate the different parts. I also pass around real parts so students have a better understanding as well.
i like to play music while the students are decompressing from the lesson
The right colors can create a good learning environment by creating the right mood for a class or activity. Visual aids and periferals can help maintain student focus on the material being covered and aid in retention. Seating students so they can interact with each other and the instructor effectivly can create a good learning environment that recognizes the importance of the students as well as the teacher. Creative supplies can give hands on learners more interesting and varied ways to absorb the material. The right kind of music can prepare a student to learn or facilitate certain activities.
Our classrooms and common areas are all painted subdue colors mostly light grey, or pastel blue. We use visuals in the form of large banners representing the manufactures we service, and recently we have been hanging insperational slogans on placards from the celling in the hallway of one of our buildings.
Well, in my industry we use the product itself, as well as posters,books,drawings of breakdowns and the workings of, to help with a variety of ways to try and get the knowledge across. Anything to try.
Our learning environment can be improved by having students create collages of the different career fields they are studying. In fact, in one of my career development classes, I actually assigned that as a group project to which the students positively responded. Some of the work was outstanding. Recently, someone used large brown letters to put different quotes on the walls in the hallways on a light brown wall and it really adds to a positive atmosphere to the school. Most of our walls are bare as we have a new facility and not many assigned classrooms, but certainly posters, color, borders, and things that promote peripheral learning can enhance the learning experience.
I would love to use some alpha music in a group project or lab exercise. I would seem to realy define the time.
helps stimulate by drawing attention to certain materials with various color schemes with handouts.
As I stated in another forum discussion, I often use upbeat instrumental music for a sort of subliminal invigoration. The class seems to stay focused with no words or vocals to distract them and are subconciously awakened by the swing. Also, regarding the use of colors, I commonly use different color dry-erase markers to emphasize certain points or facts, and the variance seems to be attention-grabbing
I try to vary the use of colors, seating, music, and peripherals. I incorporate each facet along with student involvement. Each student has a chance to influence seating, music, etc. I feel this makes for a dynamic classroom environment and the students feel a part of the process, not subjected to others decisions.
I will now try to integrate the ideas used in this module to " liven up" the class. I have seen music and colored paper used in the classroom by fellow instructors and their reaction to these techiques have been favorable.
I occasionally use colored cards or painted tongue depressors distributed at the beginning of the class. Those are then used to denote groups and we use a carousel type exercise to stimulate discussions on a given topic. Works great to get students engaged.
I use several handouts to provide students with lists of items, or processes and so on. I have used colors for the paper handouts in the past, but this lesson suggests the best colors to use. I will give it a try. For example I have been using red paper for handouts concerning a strategy development process. I think blue or green will be a better choice. For seating in the classroom, since I do a number of group/team projects, I have been using rectangle tables in the manner suggested in this lesson. I works well. This lesson is full of useful ideas for a better learning environment.
Multi-sensory learning will help keep the students awake and hopefully more aware of what is bieng taught.
I write a lot of my notes up on the board for the students. I think I could facilitate learning with colors by using different dry-erase markers for different learning objectives.
As a culinary instructor, I would find it helpful to have pictures of the dishes that the students will be creating posted on the wall. Important worksheets should be copied on blue paper. For demonstration, it would be nice to have a better system than students gathering around the chefs station. I wish they could sit and have table space to write.
Hi Scott!
Really great approach! But what do you do for those students who are not strong visual learners?
Good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Visuals have been used often as part of my class to allow the students to become experts on topics of psychology. Visuals they create have no terms on them, only pictures and colors. By having them explain the choices they made in the assignment, students listening tend to, seem to, remember the information much better. Students use the visuals as recall tools and it seems to be more enjoyable than looking at flashcards
Oddly enough, I played trumpet for 25 years. I have also sung and played the piano for many years as well. I love doing all. But I teach English. Sometimes it's difficult to put music to writing or grammar exercises. I've even asked students if they'd like music during class, especially, during testing times. They've always said no. I do wish to experiment with some of my classes this Fall to see if a difference can be made. Teaching writing, which many American students hate, is not easy to motivate students to get excited about. So, I will give it a try.
Thanks.
