I constantly change the seating arrangements in my classroom to allow the students to interact with each other and meet new people. Color paper is not available to us, due to budget cuts. Most times my audio/visual equipment doesn't work. Maybe a puppet show...
Jennifer,
this is a great way to use a variety of senses in the classroom.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
We use not only powerpoint, but also color coded charts, scents in the room, & hands on practice
I really want to try the use of "alpha" music in my class. I currently teach esthetics and we use relxation music during hands on treatments but I never thought of using other music types during the theory class time...great idea! I will be using it this quarter.
I teach alot of anatomy and physiology classes, I guess I could use colors and creative supplies when I am doing a lecture and let them draw pictures or diagrams while I am lecturing so the students may learn easier from their own hands on technique. I already let them listen to music if they wish if they are doing a hands on type of work
anthony,
music is a nice tool to use when appropriate. I too like the use of different color markers as it helps distinguish ideas & it's cheap & easy to use.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I like the idea of playing music while my students are learning. I used to do this myslef while I was in college. The use of color does help in the classroom that is one thing I am currently testing out.
I think it will vary on the lesson and type of learning objectives for each class. I have been in classrooms that were overwhelming with the amount of stimuli. This could be troublesome for the easily distracted learner. I would strive for the calmest setting for the class and reinforece the objectives with posters.
I use different color markers,while teaching and using the white board,may have big diagrams all around the class walls, music only when the class is doing an exercise or a gruop project,music works wonders when they are reviewing at the end of the day.relaxes the students,sometimes
Our rooms are set up in rows behind tables like lecture hall spaces. We use many power points but the teacher speaks throughout the presentation and the lights are off. I think we will begin by changing the seating arrangement to a U style. We will look into the musical options offered. Our school has the walls in our room gray so I may try colorful posters to draw the student's attention. I already make my games as colorful as I can.
Joyce,
the different colors of paper can also be used to connect with different topics or concepts in the course as well & these can help the students keep things distinct & separate.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree that music can add to the confusion if used indiscriminately. I teach Psychology in three different classrooms, so have very limited opportunities to "dress up" the classroom, but can use music, color, and graphics in my presentations and during group activities to facilitate learning. Having direct access to the internet also helps link students minds from the learning objectives to "real life' via video downloads.
I have used music in the classroom and they usually tend to focus and tend to the task at hand. I use different colored papers usually light colored paper to run assignments on. I have posters and displays up in the classroom.
Alan,
yes, the various posters are a great way to stimulate excitement & engagement in the subject matter.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I am big on putting things on walls. I like motivational posters that are pleasing to the eye yet invoke thought on the student's part. As an automotive instructor I have to be careful not to put up posters with product on them as it has taken away from the discussions and learning at hand. I find neutral colors rather than the bold ones that are usually used in the automotive field tend to keep students on track. Plain white walls are boring and the student will feel the same about the class if there isn't any visual stimulation at all.
Jamie,
yes, music can provide a great atmosphere depending upon the subject matter & the task at hand.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I love when I can use music in the classroom, especially when the students need to have intense focus. Playing classical music while students work on chocolate sculptures makes them relax and better in tune with the art they are creating.
Laura,
yes these courses are written for a wide audience & not every concept applies to all participants. Our hope is that maybe some of the ideas can help.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Agreed, we do not have classrooms to ourselves and we are so regimented and fast paced that we as instructors do not have the time nor the equipment and space to utilize what is discussed in this chapter. I am not sure if our superiors have taken these courses but I believe they would have wanted this left out.
However, when I teach relaxation in MH, we sometimes will use music to Enya or Yanni for that purpose.
This information really had some good ideas. It is individualized per course taught, but the concepts are certainly applicable to some degree with even the most serious courses. The colors are important. I see teachers often using crazy colors with power points because they like them. It needs to student focused. Really some good information.
