Retaining information
It is important to have students show they are paying attention and listening. So after all my lectures, i make sure they get work to correspond to the material that was covered. Also at the end of the day, we always have a quiz to make sure they can let me know they were paying attention to my lectures.
Donna,
I agree about using a variety of review methods. My students love to play Jeopardy and Family Feud when we review. We cover a lot of material, everyone participates and we have a few laughs along the way.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also feel by using a variety of methods for review will help with the students retaining information. This will enable the instructor to be able to introduce new material and the students will be interested in the learning process.
At the end of each class we take 5 or so minutes and openly go over everything covered in class and what questions they may have after thinking about the material for a while. I start the class out the same way going over what we learned yesterday.
Steven,
This is a good way to help the students get the new content into the working memories of the students. Reinforcement and repetition are key to application which are then have the students do by working through the problems. This greatly increases the retention of the new concepts.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Those are some outstanding strategies to aid in retaining information. A method that I use in accounting classes is to explain a concept, then have students work a problem using the concept. Depending on the concept and the class mood for the day, I have students break out in groups or do this individually. I then have the students either solve the problem on the board, or they walk me through the answers. Then I know if the concept has been retained.
Mary,
I use this format with my classes as well and I know they really appreciate the fact they get to make application of the content they have received. It makes the course become more relevant to them.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I like to do my lectures, then have time at the end of the class to put the lecture into action. I feel that my students get more from my lecture when I do this.
So very true! The better and more numerous your methods of presenting material, the more engaging, and more likely, it will be that students will make the appropriate connections.
Scott,
I like this strategy. Thanks for sharing it with us. I know it will be of value to other instructors. It is a clear and graphic way of showing the students what is taking place.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have a board we use for yesterday ,today and tomorrow.It works cause it helps go over what we discussed yesterday,what we will do today and what we will do tomorrow.Helps the repetitiveness of the course!
Anna,
The more you can get them to use their newly acquired knowledge the better. You are asking them to use such material by application and assessment. This will increase their cognitive retention.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
