Not only the subject matter but posters or pictures that encourage the student to be good enough to be recognized as one of the best in their career field.
Many students realize that they will never be "numero uno" (there is always someone better)but they can be recognized.
William,
this is a great way to connect with the students & when we do this they are more likely to open up to us when they need help.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree with the use of music at the begining of the class when students are coming into the class. I ask how their day has gone, and how much they have studied the material. I have drawings of the materials in the course around the room. I also play music when the students and working on study guides, and studying. I walk around the room and ask if the students have any questions about the material that was presented. I always, at the end of class, remind them of the studies, and tell them to have a great night.
Katie,
colors can also be used on class notes & even tests to help highlight certain ideas or sections.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Aprilyn,
this shows the adapatability & flexibility as well as creativity that we can have in our classrooms. We can't implement all of these ideas in every situation but we can try our best.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I'm very limited as far as seating structure in my classroom. I do however meet with my colleague to create a seating arrangement for my class. I seat students together who will benefit each other and I separate students who do not get along or are disruptive. This seems to work very well.
I love having color on my class room walls. I use a combination of motivational and educational/procedure posters. Students love to look at them, even if they see them every day. I hate seeing boring, white walls with nothing on them. I try to have atleast one plant in the classroom as well. I teach in a computer lab where I am not able to move the desks, but students are facing towards the general instructional area. Classical music seems to calm my students and is great to use while they are entering the class and/or working on a project.
During my 13 years of teaching experience - I have used some of the these techniques with music, color, seating, basic surroundings (plants, decorations) and it works amazely well! I have also found that utilizing colored paper and colored pens work well. For years, I have also put a sticker or stamp their feedback and grade forms. At first I thought that this might be childish - but I didn't do it one time and never heard the end of it!! I truly believe that we all enjoyed our elementary school days and you are never too old to have fun at school!!
I want to try having my students make posters of diagrams of certain techniques that other students in other classes will find useful for learning the same techniques. The posters on the wall will shift the students attention and create discussion about the drawings and the students interpretations. I think that with the students using color and their creativity to depict the techniques they will gain a deeper understanding and some empowerment with their posters displayed on the classroom walls.
What do you think about this idea for an activity?
Jay,
seating arrangement really can makke a big difference in our classes & definitely worth consideration if we have the ability to adjust rooms.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think the round table seating has some value, using colored tables, and also drawings on the wall really help to get the students engaged with the classes.
John-Howard,
you are right & this provides a great opportunity for instructors to dig into this area & determine what is the best use, if any, for this information in the individual classroom.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
John-Howard,
you are right & this provides a great opportunity for instructors to dig into this area & determine what is the best use, if any, for this information in the individual classroom.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
This is one of those concepts which simultaneously fascinates and frustrates. The is partly because I firmly believe that at least part of the theory and practice being advocated here is 'New Age Woo-Woo', and partly because the environment in which I work is so resistant to change.
That initial 'hrrumph!' out of the way, I will admit that it is equally frustrating that there certainly is *something* to part of this as well -- so you can neither accept it uncritically or dismiss it out of hand. Decisding which is which is a non-trivial manner, but continuously integrating the best of knowledge-relaed research wouold appear to me to be simply a cogent and rational response from teachers.
That said, the environment is a challenge as well, with highly cramped classrooms having a fixed seating arrangement which, because of the way the lines to the computers are run, is extremely inflexible. Some of the rooms have no outside visibility, and those which do are arranged so that maximizing outside visibility makes the projector screen invisible. Similarly, there is little actual wall space in most of the rooms, and it is so arranged that student periphery would scarcely be engaged.
So it is more challenging than you might think both to actually ferret out what will really work in all of thiss, and then to be able to actually implement it.
I really appreciated the information about peripheral learning. I had never really thought about this in a college classroom. As an elementary, middle school, and even high school student, I remember this technique being used--posters were always up, things were often hanging from the ceilings, progress charts let the students know how they were doing in class. I never thought to use this technique in the college classroom. I'd definitely like to try doing this, though it can be difficult since the classrooms I teach in are not strictly my own. Does anyone have any suggestions for this? Do you put things up and take them down each teaching day?
On another note, I have tried to start patterns with my students before; for example, I tried to get one student per day to bring a quote that pertained to writing, and to write it on the board. Sometimes the students remembered, and sometimes not. I have found that establishing patterns that the students recognize and look for is extremely challenging. Any suggestions?
I think this concept is complex. Yes, we want to stimulate our students, however, too much can be distracting. My students are children and don't need pretty pictures on everything. Colored paper for assignments is one way I engage their senses. I might put on mellow music if they're working on group assignments, but I find it inappropriate and annoying when instructors use animation for every little bullet point and cheesy clip art. If we're going engage the senses, the pictures should be real and relavant.
I also agree. It depends on the students and their energy. Each class is unique and if you tune in to the students you will find tools together that enhance learning.
On the first day of the week, use colored paper for a quote.
On the second day, draw something relating to what the discussion was the day before as a review for the learners.
On the rest of the days, continue adding visuals and then begin again the next week.
Travis,
I think the chaning of seating arrangements is a great way to facilitate new discussions & to liven up the class.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It varies on the type of audience and the type of information you are asking your students to grasp, it also varies on what type of classroom you have.
