Visual learning
Being a visual learner myself, I find it effective to teach "visually". While doing my software demos, not only do I show the student how to do a particular function, the student also has to demonstrate the knowledge received back to me. This seems to get the student involved in the learning process instead of just sitting and watching.
I couldnt agree more I am a visual learning myself. By seeing something or even having a tangible item it solidifies the learning
Jim,
This is a a great example of bringing real work into the classroom for the students to see, touch and manipulate. This is a learning strategy that will really impress into the minds of the students the importance of what you are teaching them.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
As an electrical instructor in a HVAC a numder of students have been told by their friends electrical classes are waste. Some show interest when we do hands on work. The real students (most) do work hard in all phases of the program.
In addition to our hands on materials we have material and equipment that was in demoltion projects. We have some as static displays and others as pass around examples. Some are partially taken apart. Real students are inmterested in 'Whats Inside'. They cost nothing and if bought new for examples in class there would be thousands of dollars cost. For ouir static displays and pass around we have recycled one company's garbage in to an instructional tool.
It is easy to see this, in so many of my students. They struggle with one subject, yet excel at another. Finding out what it is that motivates them, and how to best convey the material to them is the challenge.
Nuance,
This is what keeps teachers coming back to the classroom/lab day after day. The joy of seeing students learn is a real high.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
As a Surgical Tech Instructor when passing instruments to the student to learn their names its better then the animation in the book, they not only give postive feedbacks but the excitement in their eyes says it all
Hi Alfredo,
This is what student centered learning is all about. You are showing them relevancy and application as you present the content. This is what is keeping them engaged. Keep up the good work.
Gary
We get to teach theory of operation which seems to go over like a big boring topic but when you show a demo of what the theories just told them they get excited about tring to complete a new job task. once completed they say it was easy but without the theories of operation the material will be just part of the understanding.
Hi Henry,
Great way to enhance learning. Just one more way of helping students retain content. By touching and viewing items their memories are reinforced.
Gary
Great point. I have the luxury of passing items around the classroom I am discussing in a class lesson. We have also developed many training aids that allow for visual explanation of how certain items work.
i found that if the students watch me first then do the same task when im done they seem to retain the information better.
I agree with you statement, I constantly hand out hands on visual aids while lecturing.
Hi Glenn,
I like demonstrations like this because they are engaging and dramatic. You are getting your message across when you show your students something like this. Keep up the good teaching efforts.
Gary
I have done this exercise in the past when showing my student how to make an hollandaise sauce. I include in my demo the suggested steps of making the sauce that includes tasting every step along the way so that they can sense the flavors on their palettes. The fun begins when i purposely break the sauce and show them how to fix it in front of them and they're amazed and interested in the demo. I believe the key is to find ways to keep them enlighten and involved during the demoes which in the end their retention is higher.
I am an automotive instructor and find that most of my students are visual/hands on learners. They need to see the task done and then try to accomplish the task themselves.
Hi Don,
Good comments about the need for graphic teaching aids. In your field they have to not only know it they must see it and do it if they are going to be successful. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I agree as an automotive instructor I am dealing with a lot of hands on students. It is import to have trainings aids available during our daily discussions in the classroom.
I agree. I use visual aids to get points across.
Being a dental instructor, I find that visual learning works the best. I demonstrate a dental procedure, explaining each type of material and instrument needed. After the demonstration, the students then perform and repeat back the information of the procedure.
