80/20
What students can do on their study time:
•Review sessions including quiz games, contests, and fun ways to test learning
•Silent reading
•Answering questions from the instructor
•Trying, on their own, something the instructor has just demonstrated
•Filling in the blanks on a worksheet as the instructor lectures (guided note-taking)
•Discussing pros and cons with the people at their table
Richard,
this is a good model for many of the trades or hands on areas--but good to remember for other subjects/areas too.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Teaching automotive courses we find it is necessary for us to keep lectures and book study to a minimum as our students chose this field because they like working with their hands. Our lectures are short and to the point but also use demonstrations in the class room to remove any doubts of what they need to accomplish.
Wendi ,
this really is a key principle & the activity helps them stay engaged.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
The 80/20 rule is something I will be more aware of in my class. Keeping the students active in learning will help the information become more familiar.
Gary,
yes, with some guidance students can write very good test questions & this helps them learn what they need as well.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Creating their own test questions helps facilitate learning as well
Denise,
yes, this could definitely be a struggle to engage the class, but as you said, if it's brief & there is a discussion/case study with it, this can greatly help.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I do not think silent reading would actively engage a classroom. Perhaps a short reading with a guided response or activity involving the reading but I would not ask them just to read.
Greg,
good insight here. I think the key idea you express is to make sure that we are getting to know each class group as they will vary from class to class. What might work well with one, may not work so well with another.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think different classes tolerate different types of study time. I think a dominently male class may not like a silent reading activity.
keep them activly challenged with a varity of activites
