Instructors
I believe it is important for students to be active participants in class. I personally, cut my lectures short to include time for questions.
Working in a trade school i think the students learn more from hands on trining than out of a book there is nothing like actually doing the work.
That is a great idea Tony. Depending on the size of the class I agree this would be helpful.
My experience is similar to many of the earlier comments. When I start teaching any lesson I will make sure that the participants know that their interaction is expected and I want the lesson to be more of a conversation than a lecture. To make this point I quickly go to my first "victim" and ask him or her what they think of my expectation. This usually serves as an ice breaker and gets the conversation started.
Tony,
Good strategy to use. They need to see the value of the content and you are helping to do that through your questioning method.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I always try to keep students involved in my class by covering my material and asking questions of my students as I am going over our homework. Seems to keep them more In tuned to our work not knowing who I am going to call on next.
Short lectures work well, with hands on demos and practices. It really seems to turn the lights ON
Ninette,
This is a good point. They need to own their investment in their future. It is up to them to be successful and put forth the needed effort. You can provide leadership and support they need to provide the effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think making them participate gives them ownership of their education. It is also a good gage for the instructor to make sure students are engaged. This is also a good time to identify learning styles and give students a chance to learn off of each other and questions.
Beatrice,
So true and this is why we need to provide them with plenty of connecting points between the content and application. By doing so we will be increasing their understanding as well as they seeing the value of what is being taught.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Adult learners need to find out a relationship between the subject's content and its applications, in order to have a better retention.
Herlaine,
Good way to get the students involved and contributing to the content of the class. This gets everyone excited about the learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I completely agree. I often deliver class content as a class discussion where I invite students to reflect on the topics being discussed and add to the discussion their views and related experiences.
I agree that students will zone out from lecture, I teach in a course where the most time spent in a lecture is 2 hours before breaks. I find that slowly working into lecture from something of current events get me teaching mode before the class realizes we are on topic. Of course the open ended questions along the way are helpful to get class interaction too.
David,
This quick session is a good way to check for understanding by your students. The sharing of stories from the field help to make the content being covered more relevant and have application. Also these stories help to make the content more valuable because the students can see why that content is being offered in relation to their career development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
before I start my class.I always ask my students if they have any questions on the lessons from the day before. I also think sharing stories on my life experiences pertaining to my work out in the field is very helpful.
before I start my class.I always ask my students if they have any questions on the lessons from the day before. I also think sharing stories on my life experiences pertaining to my work out in the field is very helpful.
I also use this technique with my students as well this also is demonstrating to them how much they have already learned and how to apply it to new tasks.
I often add activities and scenarios to instruction as well.
TC,
I am sure it does because you are showing relevance and application across disciplines and fields. This is so important for students understand because no one course or area operates alone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
