Role of instructor
I absolutely agree that 80% of the time,the learners should be "doing" and only 20% of the time, the instructor will be "telling". And all activities the learners are doing should be aligned to the learning objectives.
As we read in the module today's learners are of a different discipline compared to those 20 years ago. They want it now and want to be active, mobile and hands on. Instructors will always need to lecture to accommodate the ones that process information by listening,along with setting the basic instruction, but the big shift to the hands on learner has brought the need to retrain instructor to be able to teach in a hands on environment.
I always try to get the information to the student in as many ways possible. I will make sure they hear it, see it, write it & when possible do it.
Students do tend to wander after a certain period of lecture, so I always take the opportunity when I notice the "deer in the headlights" look to use review handouts to get students attention. Enjoyed this segment.
I agree. I try to use discussions that run off on tangent as "opportunities" to apply the course content to these discussions. Through asking questions, an instuctor can steer the boat without stifling the conversation.
timothy,
this is a great way to structure the conversation & to demonstrate to the student that we care & really do desire to help him/her.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I do try and talk to the student one on one to try and find out if the issue is the course or something outside, with as little details as possible. If the student doesn't want to get involved after that I will ask what do they want to get out of going to school. and then ask them why they feel the need to not participate , then have an answer for just about any reply.
We need to be patient and not expect students to know or learn at the same degree we do. Being aware of each ones ability will help us create the right enviorment.
Anthony,
excellent point made here. The hands on is not as beneficial without having that theoretical foundation.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I believe that the 80/20 way of teaching is very positive. Most of the students want to get into the lab or do hands on, but is is equally important that the theory postion (lecture) is applied and understood. If you don't know how it works how can you understand it or repair ir.
A VAldez
There is a distinction between didactic and clinical instructions. As theory instructor, it is my responsibility to ensure that required concepts are covered/discussed in a very limited time. With 4 to 5 chapters needing to be discussed in a 3-hour lecture time (accelerated program), it requires discipline and organizational skills to keep students interested and motivated. I rely heavily on clinical instructors to provide students with activities designed to reinforce understanding of the concepts.
Sometimes its hard to stay on topic when questions run off on tangents during an iteractive discussion. Its the the instructors role to facilitate at this point and steer the discussion back to the topic without crushing the discussion. If the transition is too abrupt, it will cause some students to pull back from participation.
I give my students objectives daily that apply to theory content ehen caring for clients. They are able to apply wht is taught to actual hands on care.
I believe that given the opportunity to apply a learned skill, the student will retain the knowledge at a higher rate as well as use it in the "real world".
Araceli,
this is a true statement. Most students benefit from the lecture or sharing of information & they also really need that time to work on the items to learn by doing.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree that most students learn by doing.
I agree with with Romeo, since most students are hands on learners.
Peter,
these are great questions to be asking frequently. Doing this kind of self-assessment can help us to really improve our instruction.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think we have to ask the question, why do the student wander?? Are the instructors NOT making the subject interesting enough?
Do the instructors need to refresh their teaching skills?
These are questions I ask myself all the time. I often point the finger at ME. Great place to start.
Marsha,
it really is a skill & a bit of an "art" to be able to positively redirect the "wanderers."
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
