Absolutely, the didactic portion along with incorporating the hands on lab portion makes the material much easier to understand.
Donna,
I think it is very important because it gives the students an opportunity to make application of the content being taught. This makes the course more relevant to them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think having a lab component is important with various classes enabling students to enhance their
skill level after being in the classroom gaining the knowledge for the lab skills necessary for real job experience.
Paul,
Questioning is a powerful teaching tool that enables learners to internalize the information they are receiving and then make application of it. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I see this also since we are a very hands on based training. I try to make sure they are getting a good understanding of the material by using questioning of what they are doing what the task is or what if you don't get the result of the test being performed to verify their understanting of the information and reason for the test being performed.
Michael,
Yes, they do so we need to plan as many activities as we can that will enable them to use their developing hands on skill sets.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Kathryn,
They really do. Students need to see relevance to the content and application to the concepts or skills being demonstrated. The more application the engaged the students will be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also agree that career college students functions better with hands on application such as activity learning activities. They become more engagaed and appear to be more motivated.
I find most students enjoy hands on. It is difficult for students to sit and focus for a long time if it is just a lecture course. Student s enjoy movement. It also keeps the brain awake and focused.
Susan,
Hands on application of content is what motivates students to see the value of what is being taught. So the more activities we can introduce the higher the engagement there will be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I find that many students don't get the the full learning experience without hands in education, particularly in the Medical Assisting field. I can tell them how to wrap surgical instruments for autoclaving, but it really brings their education full circle when they actually prepare and place the instruments in the autoclave.
Mike,
What are some of your most successful results from using hands on assessments?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
yes my students learn alot better and faster with hands on than videos slides or test.
James,
Very valid point because the students have to have a knowledge base from which to operate that goes along with their skill sets.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Melvin,
That is why they are there and the more you can get them making applications through hands on activities the more value they see in the course content and the labs. This keeps them engaged and wanting to learn even more.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Hands on is great, but you have to get the students to put in relation to cousre content.
